Breast-dressed model! Designer unveils bizarre 'boob gown' at Rome fashion week

By LAUREN PAXMAN

Coy, and letting it all hang out: A model shows off Molaro's mega-boob creation at Alta Roma fashion week in the Italian capital

As fashion weeks go, Alta Roma is not exactly up there with Paris, London or Milan.
But designers there know as well as any others that the best way to draw attention to your collection is to flash a lot of flesh.
Gianni Molaro proved that breast is best at his controversy-seeking catwalk show yesterday.

Love is in the air: These looks would turn heads on Valentine's day

One of his models took to the catwalk with her arms strangely folder over her chest as if she was wearing a straight-jacket. When her hands were lowered to her sides, though, they exposed a single, huge breast which had been sewn to the bodice of her top. The look was completed with a wide-hipped, floor-length, fishtail skirt, which curiously had a large cross sewn over the crotch, and a stripy, transparent headpiece over the model's face.

Chic-onomics: Gianni Molaro, left, with his piece de resistance which was inspired by the euro-zone crisis

A third, model was dressed as a huge red heart covered in cracks. Hearts also formed a backdrop for a pale blue gown - embellished with golden feathers - which seemed to hover above the ground.
But the piece de resistance was an homage, of sorts, to the Eurozone crisis.
The pale, yellow dress had with cut-away panels on the bodice and currency-style line charts at the bottom of the skirt.
'Spread' and 'BTP' were also emblazoned on the floor-length gown - in reference to the dangerous gap between Italian government bonds and German bunds.

Musical entertainment: One model hung from a bellhop trolley as she played the electric violin

Making a statement: Even the more wearable offerings were rendered wackier by colourful false eyelashes and gloomy eyeshadow

The dress was embellished with a blue and yellow disk over the model's right shoulder. And a, rather apt, flashing blue light was embedded in her hair.
The music for the show was provided by a violin player - wearing another of Molaro's creations - who was suspended from a bellhop trolley while she played the electric violin. And even the more wearable offerings were rendered wackier by colourful false eyelashes and gloomy eyeshadow.
Guests at the show must have been wondering how Molaro would top 2004's tribute to those who died in the twin towers during September 11. Now the mega-boob is the one to beat.

source: dailymail

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Secondhand style: Taylor Swift wears a pretty vintage crochet dress as she continues to indulge in her antique obsession

By JADE WATKINS

Secondhand style: Taylor Swift was spotted going bargain shopping at the Ventura Country Flea market yesterday

She may be worth millions of dollars, but it appears that Taylor Swift prefers a more thrifty style.
It appears that the 22-year-old has developed a penchant for all things secondhand, from everything from her home wares to it seems her attire.
The country music singer was spotted going bargain shopping at the Ventura Country Flea market yesterday.

Gorgeous: The blonde statuesque beauty wore what appeared to be a vintage dress for the outing, slipping her lithe figure into a cream crochet dress

The blonde statuesque beauty wore what appeared to be a vintage dress for the outing, slipping her lithe figure into a cream crochet dress paired with nude kitten heels and a tan suede and leather bag.
Taylor, who is worth millions of dollars, showed no fear in shopping for extra cheap art, picking up a couple of framed items.
She also took particular interest in some books.
It was the second time in one week that Taylor has indulged in vintage shopping.

Having a ball: Taylor, who is worth millions of dollars, showed no fear in shopping for extra cheap art, picking up a couple of framed items

On Friday, the Love Story singer was spotted at an antique store in Santa Monica with her mother Andrea.
The dressed down star looked effortless in a pair of skinny black jeans and a billowing white blouse.
Taylor has just arrived home from a trip to London, where it was said she was rehearsing for the Les Miserables film.

Novel idea: She also took particular interest in some books

During the trip, she visited the London Zoo, the Diana memorial fountain at Hyde Park, and of course did a spot of shopping along Portobello Road.
There she visited Alice's, an antique dealer which specialises in decorative furniture from a range of periods.
She reportedly spent 30 minutes in the store, which was said to have closed especially for her, but it is unknown if she made any purchases.

Pretty as a picture: Taylor's outfit was perfect for the warm Californian day

She did however make three female fans day when her security let them in the store to meet her.
Earlier in the day Taylor also took time out to visit the Princess Diana Memorial fountain at Hyde Park.
Gazing into the water, the young star appeared to be paying her respects and also carefully read the fountain's plaque.

Antique obsession: On Friday, the Love Story singer was spotted at an antique store in Santa Monica with her mother Andrea

The memorial fountain was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth in July 2004.
According royalparks.org,uk: 'The design aims to reflect Diana's life, water flows from the highest point in two directions as it cascades, swirls and bubbles before meeting in a calm pool at the bottom. The water is constantly being refreshed and is drawn from London's water table,' it says.
The Memorial also symbolises Diana's quality and openness. There are three bridges where you can cross the water and go right to the heart of the fountain.'

Lovely and low-key: The dressed down star looked effortless in a pair of skinny black jeans and a billowing white blouse

Listening to her iPod, Taylor clearly was enjoying some alone time during the sightseeing tour.
She smiled as she marveled over a pair of picturesque perfect swans and took particular interest in a giant bird sculpture at the grounds.
The singer was reportedly in London to rehearse for the Les Miserables film, where she thought to be playing the role of Eponine, according to broadwayworld.com.

London trip: Taylor has just arrived home from a trip to London, where she visited the London zoo

The full cast has not officially been announced but several publications have reported that Taylor has snagged the role.
She is said to be joining a star-studded roll call, consisting of Hugh Jackman in the lead role of Jean Valjean, Russell Crowe as Javert, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thernardier, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Anne Hathaway as Fantine and Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier.
The musical is due to hit cinemas at the end of December.

Memorable: Taylor also took time out to visit the Princess Diana Memorial fountain at Hyde Park

Efron and Taylor were seen being rather flirtatious when the pair allegedly arrived at an Italian restaurant and 'were deep in conversation and very giggly' earlier during the week.
After a red carpet appearance together to promote their upcoming movie The Lorax, and gushing remarks about each other, the couple were thought to be more than just friends.

source: dailymail

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Strike a pose there's nothing to it: Miranda Kerr works her magic during Vogue shoot

By ANDREA MAGRATH

White hot: Miranda Kerr shows why she is one of the world's highest-earning models as she works a bikini photoshoot on Sydney Harbour today

At first glance it appears as though Miranda Kerr was enjoying some rest and relaxation during a trip home to her native Australia.
But despite her soaking up the summer sun as she floats on Sydney Harbour, the supermodel was in fact hard at work.
Miranda, 27, was steaming up the cameras during a photoshoot for UK Vogue magazine on Monday.

Strike a pose: The model reclined on a boat named La Dolce Vita during the shoot, for UK Vogue magazine

The Victoria's Secret Angel knows a thing or two about working skimpy lingerie, and it was no different as she reclined on a small speedboat in a white bikini.
Miranda luxuriously stretched herself out along the stern of the vessel, aptly named La Dolce Vita.
She shaded her eyes in a pair of aviator sunglasses as the driver sped around the harbour in the sunshine.

La Dolce Vita: It was hard to tell whether the Victoria's Secret model was working or taking a nap as she soaked up the sun aboard the speedboat

On the high seas: Miranda held on as the small boat battle choppy waters

Miranda protected herself from the breeze with a cover-up in between shots, and later slipped into a pretty sundress for another take.
Miss Kerr kept her followers on Twitter updated on her agenda that morning: tweeting 'Have a great day everyone! I'm off to work to shoot uk vogue xxx.'
The stunning brunette jetted Down Under last week with husband Orlando Bloom and baby Flynn in tow.

She's an Angel: The Aussie bombshell showed off her stunning figure as she hopped into the boat

Wind chill: The 27-year-old kept warm with a cover-up in between takes

Tomorrow night the model will present an award at the Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts (AACTA) Awards in Sydney.
But her trip home hasn't been all work and no play. On Sunday Miranda was spotted arriving at trendy Sydney bar and restaurant The Winery with her mother Therese to join friends for a drink.
Even off-duty, Miranda looked like she had just stepped off a catwalk, showing off her enviably long legs in a white mini dress.

Costume change: Miranda slipped into a pretty sundress for the next shot

Work and play: The day before Miranda was pictured arriving at Sydney hotspot The Winery with her mother Therese to join friends for drinks

source: dailymail

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Worth every penny of that $3.5m spot: First look at the David Beckham for H&M Super Bowl commercial

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

High-profile debut: A television commercial for the new David Beckham Bodywear collection, due to launch at H&M on Thursday, will premiere during the Super Bowl

It goes without saying that the ads that run during the Super Bowl are as eagerly anticipated as the game itself. And one in particular is sure to have the full attention of female viewers.
H&M this morning released its first commercial for David Beckham Bodywear, which will make its debut during the second quarter of the NFL championship final.
Starring the man himself, the 30-second black-and-white ad, set to the song Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood by The Animals, shows close-ups of the soccer star's many tattoos and flawless body.

One for the ladies: The black-and-white ad shows close-ups of the soccer star's many tattoos and flawless body - but not much of the products from the line

In fact, the focus is so much on the 36-year-old LA Galaxy player, one might be tempted to ask what exactly the ad is promoting.
Of course we do get a glimpse of the products in question, right at the very end. The soccer star sports a pair of briefs, which will retail for $12.95, and trunks, which will be priced at $14.95.

Tattoo tribute: One shot shows an inking in honour of the 36-year-old's second son, Romeo

Mr Beckham admitted he was excited that the ad would be airing in such a high-profile spot.
He said in a press release: 'I'm excited about my bodywear ad featuring in this year's Super Bowl.
'My design team and I spent 18 months developing the collection, it's been a fantastic collaborative experience, and I'm very happy with the end result.
Like every fan, I'm looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday.'

Brief glimpse: Only at the end of the 30-second spot do we see any of the David Beckham Bodywear range

Star turn: As well as the briefs, Mr Beckham models trunks (pictured), which will be priced at $14.95

Steve Lubomski, Director of Marketing for H&M North America, echoed the star's sentiments.
He added: 'We're thrilled about David starring in our Super Bowl spot, which kicks-off the North American launch of the global David Beckham Bodywear collection.
We'll reach a significant number of our consumer base during the Super Bowl, and we'll continue the momentum with a 360 degree marketing campaign that includes social media, national advertising, PR and consumer engagement.'

Cheeky smile: The LA Galaxy player grins at the camera by way of a parting shot

H&M is also promoting the launch with a huge ad on the corner of 8th Avenue & 34th Street in Manhattan.
A full body-length image of Mr Beckham modelling the new trunks will be hand-painted over a period of two weeks and completed by Super Bowl weekend. The process will be captured on video and shared as a time-lapse video on YouTube.
The David Beckham Bodywear line will go on sale on Thursday, just in time for Valentine's Day.



source: dailymail

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How posh! Victoria Beckham's new collection goes on sale in Harvey Nichols

By LAUREN PAXMAN

Catch them while you can! Harvey Nichols workers put the finishing touches to a display of Victoria Beckham's 'Victoria' collection

Mrs Beckham's new standalone brand, Victoria, has already been seen on the likes of Danielle Lineker, Katy Perry, Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams... And now UK shoppers can finally snap up the collection for themselves.
The pretty, above-the-knee shift dresses went on sale at Harvey Nichols this morning.
Speaking of her newest collection, the designer formerly known as Posh Spice said: 'This new line serves to channel my inner girl - it is fun and young with a distinct sense of humour. The Victoria range can't help but make you smile with its energy and personality.'

Harvey Nichols described the collection as: 'The free-spirited sister brand to Victoria Beckham's eponymous mainline label.'
The flirty, summery frocks are displayed with pride - complete with bejewelled cat's heads which help draw attention to the cartoon character who inspired the range, Emily the Strange.

Catwoman: The frocks were inspired by cartoon character Emily the Strange - which explains the feline connection

Beyond Harvey Nichols' womenswear section, the cat-theme continues.
Mrs Beckham collaborated with quirky illustrator and film-maker, Quentin Jones, to decorate the department store's legendary windows with bold cut-outs which highlight the collection's key themes.
They are already attracting the attention of Kensington's well-heeled shoppers who could not wait to get their hands on the dresses.

Almost ready: Another Harvey Nichols worker finishes off a window display which was a collaboration with quirky illustrator and film-maker, Quentin Jones

Victoria is sold at a lower price point that the former-Spice Girl's designer collection, Victoria Beckham. But it is not a diffusion line, it is its own standalone brand. Dresses cost between £375 and £995.
VB's trademark zip has disappeared - to be replaced with loose-fitting dresses that have a more casual feel.
Cherry red, candy pink and cornflower blue are blocked with black and white, with pretty scallop edging and whimsical cat, cloud and moon prints.

Shoppers admire the display outside the department store before being allowed inside to see the dresses for themselves

Mrs Beckham told Vogue.com: 'It's not a second line, or a diffusion line - it's another line, another side to my wardrobe.
'This is a way to give my customers what they want. They are really easy-to-wear day dresses.
'You can wear everything with heels, but you can wear them with flats as well. And they fit a lot of different people. Nothing's tight: everything's quite comfortable and roomy.'
At the collection's catwalk launch, in New York last September, models echoed the designer's comic book inspiration with blunt fringes.

Calm before the storm: Workers steam a cloud-covered dress, which is the same design that was worn by Danielle Lineker last night

Pretty in pink: Victoria Beckham wearing a pink and black scalloped Victoria dress in New York, and Michelle Williams wearing the same dress in different colours at the LA Baftas

They strode the catwalk in towering platforms in co-coordinating colours and prints, the result of a collaboration with footwear brand-of-the-moment Charlotte Olympia.
But Harvey Nichols' mannequins are bare-foot, and the fringes have been swapped for cat's ears and whiskers - perhaps to show that the dresses really do go with anything?
The department store has exclusive rights to the dresses which can be bought in both the London Kensington and Birmingham stores - as well as by email though their website.

source: dailymail

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The day it rained blue balls of jelly! Homeowner stunned as hailstorm showers his garden with weird goo

By EMMA REYNOLDS

Mysterious: The transparent, slippery spheres that rained down on Steve Hornsby's garden are about the size of marbles

A baffled homeowner could not believe his eyes when jelly-like blue balls began falling from the sky outside his house.
Steve Hornsby, 61, was forced to run for cover when the freak weather hit his neighbourhood in Bournemouth, Dorset.
He said the sky turned a strange shade of dark yellow and a hailstorm began pelting down on his garden.
It was only after the downpour that he noticed the silicone-like balls on his lawn and went outside for a closer look.
The aircraft engineer scooped up some of the mysterious, slippery globes in a jar and hopes to have them analysed to work out the puzzle.

He believes that about 20 of the marble-sized objects landed in his garden last Thursday. While most were broken, some remained intact.
'I was just about to pop into the garage to get some logs for the fire when the sky went very dark and then a strange yellow colour,' he said.
'There was then a short, sharp hailstorm that lasted for about 20 seconds.
'I rushed to stand by the wall out of the way and it was all over very quickly. I had seen the hail come down and it looked like rock salt.
'Then I spotted something on the lawn and it looked like broken glass - I thought it must be the kids.
'But then I put my foot on it and it disappeared... I thought it was strange. Then I looked around and there were lots of others.

Astonished: Mr Hornsby and wife Carol ran for cover when caught in the freak hailstorm - but what they found afterwards was even more of a shock

A scientist at his local university suggested they may be eggs taken from the sea by a bird, which then dropped them over Steve’s house in the hailstorm.
But this is thought to be unlikely as they are transparent and there are no signs of eggs or an embryo inside.
Mr Hornsby, who made the discovery with his equally bewildered wife Carol, added: 'They only landed in our garden in an area of a couple of hundred square-metres. I’ve checked the neighbours’ gardens.
'It is the most peculiar thing I have ever seen - there must be about 20 complete spheres.
'They don’t smell and they don’t float. I’ve been an aircraft engineer for many years and I’ve never seen anything like it.

Breathtaking: The balls that landed in the 61-year-old's vegetable patch have an unusual blue tinge

'I thought it could have been some kind of atmospheric pollution like a chemical that has been released into the atmosphere, got sucked into a storm cloud and solidified and then released in droplets with the hailstones.
'The winds that day were blowing from the east. Ideally I’d like to get them chemically analysed to find out what they consist of.'
He said that the balls did not dissolve in water and he has been keeping them in his fridge while he tries to figure out what they were.
The Met Office said the jelly-like substance was 'not meteorological'.
Josie Pegg, a science research assistant at Bournemouth University, speculated that the strange phenomena might be 'marine invertebrate eggs'.

Phenomenon: Mr Hornsby believes the balls could be a result of pollution, while a scientist at Bournemouth University suggested they could be eggs transported on birds' feet

Remarkable: Several of the crystalline globes remained intact and the aircraft engineer plans to have them analysed

She said: 'These have been implicated in previous "strange goo" incidents.
'The transmission of eggs on birds’ feet is well documented and I guess if a bird was caught out in a storm this could be the cause.'
Gavin Pretor-Pinney from the Cloud Appreciation Society said: 'The most likely explanation is that these things were sucked up by a water-spout.
'Because there was hail, we know they must have come from a cumulonimbus cloud, which have violent rising and falling currents.
'The air rushing up can cause small tornadoes that can suck up things from the sea or land and they can stay in the cloud for some time until they are dropped.'

Hailstorm: A crater left behind in the Hornsbys' vegetable patch after the freak weather

source: dailymail

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A road runs through it: Resourceful engineers in crowded Japanese city build flyover via the middle of an office block

By RICHARD ASHMORE

If you can't get round it: The 16-level office block has a busy fly-over running straight through the ground floor - locals have nicknamed the building the beehive referring to its appearance as a bustling place

Resourceful Japanese engineers did not let a small matter like a lack of space deter them when they needed to begin a new construction project and managed to build a road through an office block in the city of Osaka.
The 16-storey building Gate Tower Building has a busy fly-over running straight through the ground floor as this amazing picture shows
Locals have nicknamed the building the 'beehive' referring to its appearance as a 'bustling place.'

Lighting the way: The road looks even more futuristic by night

The building has a double core construction, with a circular cross section and the Umeda Exit of the Ikeda Route of the Hanshin Expressway system passes between the fifth and seventh floors. The highway is the tenant of those floors and actually pays rent. The lift even passes through the floors without stopping, floor 4 being followed by floor 8.
The floors through which the highway passes consist of elevators, stairways and machinery. The motorway does not make contact with the building and it passes through as a bridge, held up by supports next to the building.
Architects surrounded the road with a structure to protect the building from noise and vibration.

source: dailymail

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Don’t look down: Vertigo-inducing photographs taken by daredevils who climb skyscrapers and then lean over the edge

By KERRY MCQUEENEY


Head for heights: Thrillseeking photographer Tom Ryaboi took this shot from the roof of a skyscraper, high above the streets of Toronto

If you're thinking of giving this new photography craze a go, a head for heights is as essential as a camera.
Rooftopping is the heart-stopping photography movement which involves thrill seekers climbing to the top of city skyscrapers, hanging off the edge and taking pictures of the spectacular view beneath them.
Photographer Tom Ryaboi is one of the crusaders of Rooftopping. The 27-year-old, from Toronto in Canada, has climbed more than 100 buildings and produced some of the most stunning examples of the craze.

Above the world: The stunning photography shots produce amazing results but photographers have to go to extreme lengths to capture the images

He said: 'It's addictive and I am always looking for a higher roof in the city. But I still feel the buzz whenever I reach the top and feel the wind. It's a pure rush of adrenaline.'
Disguising themselves so they can carry out their daring stunts, the thrill seekers avoid security and CCTV before climbing to the top of skyscrapers and hanging off the edge - photographing the evidence as proof of their antics.
Tom added: 'I try to blend in as much as possible. In an office building I dress like I work there, on a construction site I dress like the workmen.
'It's in my blood. When I was a child one day, my dad came home from work and found me sitting on top of the fridge.
'They had no idea how I had got there, but obviously I just liked climbing things.'

Risky business: Photographer Tom Ryaboi (pictured) has climbed more than 100 buildings and produced some of the most stunning examples of Rooftopping to date

Growing in popularity: Using the internet to spread his new found love of storming skyscraper roofs, Tom has now inspired other Rooftoppers to start climbing too

Birds eye view: Rooftoppers avoid security, CCTV and risk their lives on top of the windy ledges up to almost 1,000 feet high

Having spent the past four years on top of Canada's largest city's roofs, Tom enjoys the isolation he feels hundreds of feet above the pavement.
He added: 'I've been on the top three tallest buildings in Toronto. But I often tell people it's not really the height the matters.
'The coolest views are often from lower buildings nestled in between the tall ones.


Vertiginous: A dedicated few 'Rooftoppers' are determined to climb to the top of every skyscraper roof in their city, hang off the edge and photograph the evidence as proof

'You really get a sense you're in the urban 'jungle' then, surrounded by this forest of concrete, steel and glass.
Using the internet to spread his new found love of storming skyscraper roofs, Tom has now inspired other rooftoppers to start climbing too.
'I'm not the first in the world, but I've introduced about 20 people to rooftopping and now groups of men and women are all trying to do it.'

Don't look down: On lower buildings, Tom says you get a sense of being in an urban 'jungle', surrounded by a forest of concrete, steel and glass

Dangerous and daring: A Rooftopper climbs up an open structure in a bid to get the perfect shot

Long way down: Tom, pictured from behind to protect his identity, peers out across the cityscape high above the streets of Toronto

Easy does it: A Rooftopper inches his way to the edge of the building (left) while another climbs up a ladder (right) in a bid to reach the perfect vantage point


Concrete jungle: Tom says he enjoys the isolation he feels hundreds of feet above the pavement

source: dailymail

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