Courtesy of: Booty Pop

High fashion is a timid beast.  Tastes and trends can change on a dime.

One day pencil thin Twiggy-like models are all the craze.  Then in a blink of an eye, full-figured women are stealing all the fashion headlines.

Superstar celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Lopez many times get more attention for their derrieres than they do for other, more important issue like …. talent.

Many women are now clamoring for that extra-padded booty look and there’s a increasing trend for undergarments that can put a little more junk in her trunk.

Booty Pop has been riding that craze and offers a brand of underwear that offers women a boost to their buttocks. It seems like the days cramming into girdles to reduce the size of their butts, maybe long gone.

If you ever catch one of Booty Pop’s late-night infomercials, you will notice the advice of “forget about doing endless squats – and cosmetic surgery, who can afford that?”  The commercial continues with several models who dance around in tight fitting jeans, showing off their cabooses.

The popular Booty Pop panties are helping women who are rear-end challenged try to get the look that’s very popular in Hollywood these days.

Of course, there are some very expensive options out there, such as butt implants but the Booty Pop panties quickly provide the desired look in a pair of  jeans they desire.

Business is booming for Booty Pop and the company is planning on sales of around one million pairs of padded underwear this year.

But there is other competition out there.

It’s been reported that lingerie retailer Frederick’s of Hollywood, the Booty Boy Short is the company’s No. 2 top-selling shaping item online.

Earlier this year, Victoria’s Secret has introduced its own product, named the “Bum Booster”

For additional information, please visit: http://www.buybootypop.com

Courtesy of: John Hardy

The beautiful Cinta collection of luxury rings by John Hardy, showcases pieces that are individually inspired by a single unique gemstone.

Featured iconic pieces within this ring collection are luxurious Cinta Shell Rings, that are each created by combining shell with a precious gemstone. This extraordinary combination means no two rings will ever be the same.

Cinta, which means ‘Love’ in Balinese, is the name of John Hardy’s one-of-a-kind collection. While traveling around the world, Creative Director and Head Designer, Guy Bedarida finds unique gemstones that are truly captivating.

From each precious gemstone comes the inspiration for each masterpiece. The creation begins with a gouache water color drawing, traditional in French Haute Joaillerie.

Bedarida then combines the precious gemstone with organic natural materials such as bamboo and shell to create a one-of-a-kind piece that is unique and luxurious. Cinta Shell Rings are iconic in this line of one-of-a-kind pieces.

The combination of shell with precious gemstones means each ring is extraordinary in its own way as no two shells in this world are the same.

Cinta 18K Yellow Gold Marble Cone Shell Ring with Turquoise (10.52 ct.)

Cinta 18K Green Gold Marble Cone Shell Ring with Gold South Sea Pearl (2.99 ct.) Blue Paraiba Pasion Topaz (0.09 ct.), Peridot (3.61 ct.), Green Sphene (2.78 ct.) and brown Diamonds (1.58 ct.) Pavé

Cinta 18K Yellow Gold Marble Cone Shell Ring with Jade Lavender (12.04 ct.), Iolite Stone (6.05 ct.), Amethyst (4.27 ct.) and brown Diamond (1.18 ct.)

To see all the fine jewelry from John Hardy, please visit: http://www.johnhardy.com/

Courtesy of: Bottega Veneta

For Spring-Summer 2011, Bottega Veneta continues its exploration of the space in a man’s wardrobe between casual and formal.

The collection is breezy but focused, balanced between the technical rigor of athletic apparel and the refined technique of classically tailored men’s wear.

The silhouette is boxy and fluid, with cropped jackets and full, pleated pants that taper at the ankle or fall, full and roomy, to the hem.

A shirt jacket, beautifully constructed and as soft as a t-shirt, illustrates the gentle side of tailoring.

The palette is broad and intricate, starting with deep, rich shades of celeste blue, vermilion red, camp green, black, and white. Lighter, tonal gradations of these colors – now empire, carmine, and turf – weave their way through the clothes, along with soft woody shades of brown and beige and the occasional shot of absinthe.

To read the full article, please visit – Fashion and Runway

Courtesy of: Coach

As a leading U.S. retailer of luxury products,  Coach produces lifestyle handbags and accessories for the luxury market that include other exclusive brand heavyweights such as Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci.

Coach’s main driver of sales are their handbags.  For various reasons, Coach has seen its sales of handbags as a percentage of total sales, decline from 65% to 62% since 2005.

During this same time period, sales of Coach accessories – belts, wallets and wristlets have increased from 28% to 29%, again as a percentage of total product sales. Coach has successfully made a focused effort in recent years to increase that company’s accessory sales.

It’s no secret that women have long been the dominant focus of both luxury retailers and designers.  Women have traditionally spent far more than men on clothes and accessories.

But there has been an increase demand for men’s luxury products as men’s fashion choices grow more sophisticated. This shift has led to a new channel of growth in the luxury industry, which has suffered in this global economic recession.

For example, in both the U.S. and U.K. over the past five years, there has been an increase in men’s designer clothing sales at a rate twice that of the women’s sector.

Even in developing countries such as China and India, the men’s luxury market grows at a fast pace between 25-35% annually.

Given the overall growth in men’s luxury sales and the current increased focus by Coach, the company could see strong growth in the next several years, before its luxury industry competitors begin playing catch-up.

One of the newer strategies by Coach to further develop the mens’ luxury market, is to open all men’s stores in the near future.

Courtesy of: Scheyden Precision Eyewear

Scheyden Precision Eyewear is the luxury market leader in lenses and frames for aviation, golf, fishing and yachting. The company recently announced the premiere of its Revelry frame, a sleek new style in the company’s popular Composite Hybrid collection.

The Revelry Composite Hybrid ($259 – $309) was designed as a smaller version of the extremely popular Revel stoke model and fuses a cedar rolled composite frame with flexible, hypoallergenic NiAg temples and cloisonné tips for complete comfort, even when wearing a hat, headphones or a headset.

Featuring the only full-coverage wrap design offering a unique custom-fit, the unisex collection is available in either gloss black or Havana tortoise-shell and includes two additional styles – Jet-A and Panorama.

Jeff Herold, company founder and private instrument-rated pilot states, “The Composite Hybrid collection has been extremely well received and we’re excited to offer a new frame that allows even more individuals the opportunity to look great in our eyewear. Pilots, golfers and outdoor enthusiasts continue to marvel at the clarity of Scheyden’s optics, all while reducing weight.”

The full-coverage frames can be fitted with either glass or CR-39 lenses, which are created using Scheyden’s technologically advanced multi-layer process.

Hand-ground and polished, they feature a hydrophobic coating to repel water and perspiration, and several layers of magnesium hexafluoride to diffuse ambient light and protect pupils from harsh reflections. The distortion-free lenses also include a scratch resistant finish and optional polarization.

Designed and manufactured to exacting standards, Scheyden eyewear is ideal for precision activities. In addition to the Composite Hybrids, the company’s product line includes the titanium-frame Fixed Gear collection, Classic FlipUp styles and Dual RX designs for prescription users.

A favorite of military, commercial, private and aerobatic pilots – including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and 2009 Redbull Air Race Rookie Pete McLeod – the evolutionary sunglasses are also the popular choice of professional golfers on the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tours, as well as many fishermen and car enthusiasts.

Retailing from $259 to $445, Scheyden Precision Eyewear is available at better commercial aviation and custom eyewear retailers.

For additional information on all Scheyden Precision Eyewear products, please visit: www.scheyden.com or call (800) 851.2758.

Courtesy of: John Hardy

John Hardy is well known as international luxury handmade jewelry brand.

The company’s products are manufactured in Bali, and sold to over 550 outlets worldwide.

The luxury jewelry collection from John Hardy showcases many beautiful pieces that are definitely fashion forward.

One of the company’s most exciting pieces for 2010 is from their Naga Collection: The Naga Crown Kick Cuff in Sterling Silver and 18k Gold.

This stunning piece is inspired by the dragon’s coat of mail and showcases intricate detailing which is completely hand-carved by our highly-skilled artisans.

For additional information on the Naga Crown Kick Cuff, as well as all of the other John Hardy collection, please visit – http://www.johnhardy.com/

Courtesy of: BodyRock Sport

The Trenta Bra by BodyRock Sport is being called the coveted, World’s Most Expensive Sports Bra.

Retailing for a whopping $1,850 – BodyRock Sport’s Trenta bra features both a detachable sterling silver charm bracelet, as well as a necklace from designer Joseph Knight of Knight & Hammer.

BodyRock Sport offers a line of functional and trendy sportswear and aims to fill the void of fashionable workout gear.

The colorful and bejeweled line of sports bras by BodyRock Sport, feature unique fabrics and distinctive embellishments with smart details such as built-in ipod pockets, zippered compartments, and tagless labels for extra comfort

Kelly Dooley, who is the creator of BodyRock Sport launches the Trenta Bra – a luxurious, custom-made sports bra in collaboration with jewelry designer Joseph Knight of Knight & Hammer.

The world’s most expensive sports bra is actually a 2-in-1 sports bra that features a detachable sterling silver charm bracelet and necklace that is fastened to a BodyRock Sport bra in black spandex and gunmetal burnout fabric.

The luxury Trenta bra retails for $1,850 and is now the world’s most expensive sports bra.

BodyRock Sport’s Trenta bra is v-shaped and comes with a Black Diamond Swarovski Crystal neckline.

Courtesy of: BodyRock Sport

The Trenta bra is part of the “Show ‘Em Off” collection, which features a slim pocket in the back and pewter distressed fabric used on the sides of the bra that adds ventilation and unique flair.

With the Trenta Bra, Dooley takes active wear to a whole new level. “The Trenta Bra encompasses BodyRock Sport’s mission, which is to empower and enable them to look and feel good everyday,” says Dooley. “This bra is multipurpose just like our entire collection.

The Knight & Hammer necklace attached to the bra can be detached and worn as a long necklace or short necklace and bracelet. Whether worn day or night, The Trenta Bra is the ultimate fashion statement.”

The custom-made Trenta bra is the newest edition to the current collection and is available online at www.bodyrocksport.com as well as luxury sports clubs and retailers across the country.

Courtesy of: Feng Shui Stones

Many of the world’s most famous celebrities practice the timeless art and tradition of Feng Shui.

A few to name include, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Paula Abdul, Sting, Madonna, Oprah and many more.

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese body of knowledge that focuses on improving one’s energy and good fortune through placement of powerful objects in a home or workspace.

With good Feng Shui, spaces will be purified and energy improved.

Atsushi Shono, principal of Feng Shui Stones (http://www.fengshui-stones.com/) practices Feng Shui principles in his shop in the Mitsuwa Marketplace in Edgewater, New Jersey.

Offering over 40 years of expertise in the field, Atsushi offers crystals, power stones, statues, jewelry and more to alleviate negativity and project positive elements surrounding his clientele.

His one-stop shop for Feng Shui will surely provide your readers with all the items and education they need to live or work in a positive environment and help bring about good fortune and luck.

Courtesy of: Kim Kaufman Designs

Kim Kaufman has finally gone back to her artistic roots, and launched her first jewelry collection for spring.

Kaufman states, “I want to be the Fabergé of the locket world,” she says. The lockets out there, they’re very traditional-looking. This is about a piece of art that’s wearable.”

Her pendants do have an Old-World air, but they are also both bold, yet with a slight downtown vibe.  “You can easily wear them with a pair of jeans,” says Kaufman.

The locket keepsakes are crafted from a mix of rose, yellow and white gold and accented with precious stones.

Jewelry themes include Japanese cranes in flight, inspired by a carved box from the Edo period, and geometric patterns taken from a church floor in Venice.

Kaufman credits her father for her long-standing locket love and, specifically, an old Native American version — bought at a Florida flea market 20 years ago — that she inherited from him.

She is resurrecting a lost art of jewelry craftsmanship – so few lockets are produced any longer due to the amount of labor involved.

Retail pricing for this limited edition collection begin at $65,000.

Later this year in November, Kaufman will launch a second line of smaller 18-karat yellow gold lockets, priced from $18,000 to $22,000 at retail.

Sarah McLachlan just recently finished her New York City PR tour promoting her new album, “Laws of Illusion” and this summer’s Lilith Fair. McLachlan wore Kim Kaufman’s Kiss of Venus locket during her entire tour.

You can see Sarah McLachlan wearing the locket at the Wall Street Journal (video near bottom of article):
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/06/10/sarah-mclachlan-performs-at-the-wsj-cafe-video/

For more information, please visit Kim Kaufman Designs

Eternal Diamond Stilettos

Everybody’s trying to make a fashion statement these days. Well how about a pair of £100,000 gold and luxury diamond stilettos to really make heads turn.

Bespoke jewelers House of Borgezie, has created the world’s first £100,000 gold and diamond pair of stilettos. These shoes, named the Eternal Diamond stiletto, are simply stunning and could quite possibly easily be mistaken for a pair of Christian Louboutins.

The luxury shoes come with a red sole and sky-high heels, and are made entirely from gold and diamonds.

Since their initial introduction, these stunning stilettos have caught the attention of many, including famous celebrities.

House of Borgezie does not disclose its clientele until the luxury pieces have been completed.

The elegant Eternal Diamond stilettos are made by British jewelery designer Christopher Michael Shellis.

Each pair of fashion shoes is handcrafted from solid gold and then encrusted with 2,200 brilliant cut diamonds. The diamonds will total a whopping 30 carats!

Shellis has spent three years working on the creation, perfect for summer balls, society weddings and red carpet events.

Shellis was quoted. “To bring the Eternal Diamond Stilletto to life, I quite literally had to reinvent the fundamental principle of classical stiletto construction. ‘The result is not so much a shoe, but rather a fine piece of jewelry that can be miraculously yet practically worn as the ultimate feminine adornment.”

Courtesy of: Quiksilver

The exciting collaboration between Quiksilver and The Standard hotels was launched in summer of 2009.

The two companies have joined forces once again and produced a new collection of four new custom Standard Boardshorts by Quiksilver and Reversible Bikini, as well as Standard Sunglasses by Quiksilver and Shiseido sunscreen.

The luxurious fashion designs were inspired by the different Standard hotel locations, their respective color identities and vintage patterns, styles and prints from 80’s archives.

The new fashion collection by Quiksilver and The Standard hotels, is available at the hotels’ vending machines, in addition to The Standard Shop at *http://standardhotels.myshopify.com/ (Shiseido Sunscreen sold exclusively in stores and machines).

Additional information is as follows:
· This collection is limited edition – only 250 pieces of each product is available.

· The scallop leg Standard Boardshorts By Quiksilver ($75) come in two lengths this year: 16” and 18”, with Quiksilver’s Diamond Dobby technology.

· Standard Bikini By Quiksilver ($88): this year, the ladies get to enjoy a gorgeous bikini in solid white convertible bandeau design that reverses to yellow, with a low-rise bikini bottom (the top can be worn with the tie around the neck, knotted and then tied around the neck, or as a strapless bandeau.)

· Standard Sunglasses By Quiksilver ($75) is a modern wayfarer exclusive to the Standard, this features a handmade two-toned black acetate frame with distortion free shatter resistant lenses and 100% U.V. sun
protection, with The Standard and Quiksilver logo on the inside frame.

Artist, photographer and film maker Cheryl Dunn has once again come on board to produce a short video celebrating the elegant fashion collection, set in the ultimate surfing back drop, Costa Rica, while the models were on an actual surfing trip.

It can be viewed on the vending machine interface and at
http://bit.ly/StndQuik10