Tyler Shields to donate $100,000 after destroying Birkin bag

"The Birkin photos are for sale. If somebody were to buy - all right, let's do this - if somebody wants to buy one of the Birkin photos, I will donate $100,000 - not to a charity - but to a family. I will give one family in need $100,000 cash, tax-free," he said to Artinfo.

The photoshoot is part of Shields's "destruction series", for which he has already sawed a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes in half.

Shields said that he is not sure which family will receive the donation.

"I'll have to figure it out. I just came up with that right now, so I'm not fully prepared on that," he added. "I would select somebody who... my father had a stroke when I was 15, and it became very difficult financially for the family, so I think I would do that.

"I think I would find a family that someone had a stroke or some type of ailment. I think that if somebody had done that for us when that happened to me, it would have been like a miracle. So, I'll find somebody who that just happened to and I will help them out."

Since the Birkin bag photoshoot went public, Francesca has received online death threats on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook from those angered by the images.

"I got death threats when we did the Heather Morris thing and the Mischa Barton thing," Shields said. "Obviously you have to assume that any threat could be real, but it's more just people displaying their anger and emotion on the internet.

"It's not like people are around the house trying to start fights. It's just people upset on the internet. Obviously you have to take certain precautions. I think it's just fine, but people are upset."

Watch a video of Tyler Eastwood and Francesca Eastwood working on a photoshoot together below:

The June 4 diamond jubilee concert organized by Gary Barlow is headlined by pop knights such as Paul McCartney, Elton John and Cliff Richard; veterans such as Stevie Wonder and Dame Shirley Bassey; Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Ed Sheeran.

Expect mass karaoke to songs such as “Hey Jude” and “Angels.”

The show in front of Buckingham Palace will be watched by 20,000 fans, with tickets already allocated by a public ballot. Those with invites also can join a Jubilee picnic in Buckingham Palace Gardens before the evening event.

About 500,000 more people will watch via screens in The Mall, Green Park and St. James’s Park. The show will also be broadcast live by the BBC.
Tuesday

A thanksgiving service at St. Paul’s Cathedral will be followed by a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.

Crowds along the route will see brass bands, marching soldiers and of course the Royal Family. There will be a Royal Air Force flypast over The Mall at 3:30 p.m.

If you’d like to get out of town, chef Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head pub in the village of Bray is recreating a jubilee- style menu first served on April 23, 1963. On that day, the queen hosted a luncheon in the private room, where the guests included the king of Norway and the queens of Denmark and Sweden.

The Pond - The Pond Review

Kathryn Williams has already enjoyed a career than has spanned over a decade but her new collaboration with Simon Edwards and Ginny Clee sees her release album The Pond.

Carved is the opening track on the album and it’s a blend of folk elements that Williams is well known for but there is a pop feel at the core of this track.

And these two elements blend together perfectly, through a dash of electric guitar, and you have an opening track that is difficult to forget.

There is a real melodic feel to the track and there is also a very laid back sound to this opening track while Williams’ vocals ring out.

The laid back disposition that is on the opening track follow into Circle Round A tree, which is one of my favourite tracks on the album.

There is some intricate folk guitar work on this track and Williams’ sultry vocals go with it perfectly.

But not all the tracks have a sunny feel to them as The River is the first of the darker tracks on the album.

The River has quite an eerie feel to it as the instrumentation of the track is much harder and more prominent, almost masking the delicate vocals of Williams.

Memory Let Down is another of these darker tracks and there is real sense of foreboding with this song as the heavy piano notes really doe create quite an atmosphere, that couldn’t be more different to the opening couple of songs.

Williams is clearly an artist who is not afraid to experiment with different sounds as well as feelings and this is an album that is an assault on all the senses.

As the darker tracks really do have a visual impact as making the hairs on the back of you neck stand up - and it’s been a while since an album has done that for me.

The instrumentation on this record plays just as important part as the vocals and whether it be piano or acoustic guitar Williams always find the sound that compliments her vocals so beautifully.

And Williams has such an authentic folk and soul voice that she gets under you skin and really makes you feel every inch of the track.

While this may be the debut album for The Pond it is by a very experienced music maker and it is not to be missed.

Kathryn Williams presents The Pond is out now

Harry Potter coming to Xbox 360 Kinect

With Sorcery on PS3 and Xbox 360 Kinect’s Fable: The Journey both showing just how well the respective motion control systems of each console can create authentic spell-casting experiences, it’s perhaps fitting that Harry Potter, the franchise which once more brought magic to the masses, is following in the same direction with Warner Bros. Interactive announcing Harry Potter for Kinect.

Developed by Eurocom and due for release this autumn the game is based on all eight Harry Potter films, as players join Harry, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger as they embark on their journey through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and beyond. With Kinect’s scanning technology, for the first time ever in a Harry Potter game, players will be able to scan in their own face to create a unique witch or wizard to journey through the adventures of the film.

Eurocom are also taking advantage of Kinect’s voice recognition capabilities to allow gamers to cast spells by calling out spell names, while for those who prefer to stay taciturn, there will also be the option to cast spells via a hand-based gesture through Kinect’s motion recognition technology.

‘Harry Potter for Kinect will engage Harry Potter fans old and new by bringing them into the wizarding world as truly active participants,’ said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. ‘Kids and parents will enjoy recreating their favourite Harry Potter adventures, from flying a broomstick in a Quidditch match, to battling pixies and duelling other wizards.’

The game’s story will enable fans to experience some of the films’ most memorable moments, both as the relevant characters or as their own avatars, including visiting Ollivanders, choosing a house at Hogwarts, and confronting He Who Must Not Be Named in a climactic final battle. Players can also take on their opponents in competitive mini-games, or join forces with family and friends in co-op gameplay.

Realising time was running out Samuels smashed 16 runs off one Swann over, including two mighty sixes to take him to 76.

He had no chance to make more, Anderson having Rampaul caught at third slip to end the innings on 165.

England began sedately, with just two runs in the first four overs before Strauss took on Roach's short ball and twice pulled in front of square for four.

In doing so, he and Cook became only the fifth partnership in Test history to score 5,000 runs together.

Cook remained cautious, but Strauss ran his fourth boundary to third man as Sammy joined the attack.

Shillingford, who went for 110 in the first innings, saw his opening delivery cut away by Cook for his first four of the day.

His second was close behind, a flick down to fine-leg as Sammy's line drifted.

That took England past the halfway mark and Cook continued to pick up the pace when Rampaul misfielded the ball into the boundary rope at deep-backward point.

By now the tourists had accepted their fate, demonstrated when wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin allowed a Strauss edge to sail past him without attempting a catch.

Tea came at 74 for nought, leaving 34 more for victory.

They scored 15 of them before Strauss unexpectedly chipped Samuels to Darren Bravo at cover, five short of his half-century.

Clint Eastwood's Daughter Burns $100K Handbag In Artistic Photo Shoot

Francesca Eastwood and celebrity photographer/boyfriend Tyler Shields desecrate luxury handbag for the sake of art

Clint Eastwood's daughter is getting some decent publicity for her upcoming reality show, thanks to the artistic destruction of a luxury accessory.

Francesca Eastwood, the 18-year-old star of the new E! reality show Eastwood & Company, recently partook in a photo shoot with her boyfriend, 30-year-old Tyler Shields, which is bound to get some attention. The visual project was based around the idea of obtaining a specific Hermes Berkin handbag that retails for about $100,000, and setting it ablaze, with photographic evidence depicting the deed.

Shields, who's known for his art that sometimes focuses on luxury items being ravaged(including Christian Louboutin shoes, which usually retail for more than $1,000), unveiled the photos during the opening of his Mouthful exhibit, supporting the anti-bullying campaign Love Is Louder in Los Angeles, according to The Daily Mail.

The photos show the posh handbag being pulled in a tug of war, sawed in half with a chainsaw, then lit on fire, all in the name of art.  A line on the photographer's website, TylerShields, describes the motive: "Destruction is a beautiful version of freedom ... Would you want this bag? Are you sad to see me destroy it?"   

At this year's Arqtiva British Academy Television Awards on May 27, the likes of Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt, Emilia Fox of Silent Witness, Celebrity Juice's Fearne Cotton, and Aussie actress Melissa George walked the red carpet.

Award presenter Joanne Froggatt's outfit details were shared via Twitter. Joanne went for a classic red carpet look with her green Alberta Ferretti peplum dress. The gown had a flattering silhouette for Joanne, if a bit safe. Annouschka jewelry and Christian Louboutin heels completed her attire.

Emilia Fox wore William Vintage for the occasion. Emilia looked elegant in her glittering gold top and champagne ball skirt. Her earrings looked too heavy for her refined outfit, but she did complete her look with lovely hair and make-up.

Melissa George attended the 2012 British Academy Television Awards in fine form. Melissa was easily best dressed in her floral Armani Prive pleated gown.

Unfortunately for Fearne Cotton, her vintage dress was not much of a style hit. It's possible that Fearne's cape-sleeve gold dress looked better in person, but as for the photographs, there was too much of a gold foil quality to the dress. Fearne added a 1920s inspired hairstyle, red lips, and metallic heels.

The SAS training course is a personal protection program run by members of the Special Air Service, Scotland Yard's personal protection squad, and MI5. The course is considered to be challenging both physically and mentally. It gives training in key survival skills such as sensing anything unusual in the surroundings, driving under pressure, developing a relationship with the hostage-taker, and stealthily passing messages in code.

The training is routine for royals, VIPs and even high profile persons working in dangerous countries. In fact, when Prince William was 16-years-old he took the course. He was trained to handle a submachine gun and even bundled into a vehicle in a mock ambush.

Apparently, Prince William and Kate Middleton have made several visits to the Special Air Services (SAS) headquarters in Hereford to be trained in the event of terrorists trying to abduct them. William and Kate were being schooled in survival skills, handling guns and prepare for all eventualities.

The Grand Minimalist

Christian Liaigre doesn't think of himself as a furniture designer—though that is what he has become best known for in his 30 years in the business. No, he sees himself solely as an interior designer—someone who creates scenes, ambience, a sensual surrounding. Only then does he sit down and design furniture to fill those spaces.

This approach is nowhere more apparent than in Liaigre's new home on the Rue de Verneuil on the Left Bank in Paris. The soaring duplex is in an 18th-century hotel particulier, or city mansion, originally built by the Marquis d'Aubigne, who came from the same village in the Vendee as Liaigre—Les Herbiers—and who was guillotined during the French Revolution. The ground- and second-floor apartment had sat empty for the past decade, following the death of its last elderly owner, when Liaigre heard about it and showed it to a Chinese client. The client preferred a view of the Seine, so Liaigre took the place for himself.

"My favorite period of design is the 18th century," Liaigre says as he sits down on one of his own Mandarin chairs. This is a surprising admission, given that Liaigre made his reputation as an interiors minimalist—he effectively launched the movement in the 1990s with his sleek, dark, wenge-wood-heavy decor for the Mercer Hotel in New York City and the Hotel Montalembert in Paris. But, he explains, "the 18th century was the time when there was the most creation in jewelry, furniture, metal hardware—everything was modern. Versailles was the force—the motor. I find it amazing that they could do so much baroque and yet keep it coherent." He adds, "I feel it's coming back into fashion."

The 68-year-old Liaigre has managed to seamlessly blend these two extremes—the rococo 18th century and his modern sparseness—to create a unified design and a comfortable atmosphere in his home. He filled it with a mix of contemporary pieces from his showroom collections, such as the Mandarin chairs and a long, low Don Juan sofa, and some he custom designed, including a large, rectangular table of a dark, Jamaican dogwood and ash, finished in a thick, solid gloss, and matching ash chairs for the dining room. Yet when working at home, he sits in the Versailles-like gold-leaf-trimmed salon at a Louis XV desk that he restored and painted black. "I love Louis XV desks," he says. "It's a design that crosses centuries."

Liaigre's art choices are as minimalist and pure as his design; he particularly loves black-and-white photography, and his collection includes works by Paolo Roversi, Kurt Markus, Jacques-Henri Lartigue and Liaigre's friend and fellow Left Bank resident Peter Lindbergh. Throughout the flat there are deer antlers and other hunting trophies, some of them remnants of Liaigre's rides with the hunt for game in the French countryside of his youth. "We dressed in 18th-century period costume, and when we cornered the animal, we would get down off the horse, salute the animal and then kill it with a spear-like sword," he says. "I still have a few scars from it."

The new home, with its light, airy ambience, reflects a renaissance of a sort for Liaigre. Two years ago, Liaigre sold a substantial stake of his company to Edmond de Rothschild Capital Partners, a Paris-based investment fund that manages $667 million in assets and focuses on midsize French companies to nurture and grow. One of its successes is Bonpoint, the high-end children's clothing company, which it took global.

Hunt for the new star is on: Christian Louboutin

Want the best job in the world with the best possible pay check in your hand? Then pose for MARTINI and Christian Louboutin. Follow the footsteps of Charlize Theron, Nicollette Sheridan and Monica Bellucci. What’s more? Well the girl would model for the iconic Christian Louboutin shoes and will also receive 150,000 (approximately 120,000), 12 pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes and a year’s worth of designer outfits. Now who wouldn’t want to have that job?

Apparently, the next ‘IT’ girl has to have the right blend of style and spakle just like the MARTINI Royale drink, and the judges would grade the girls on the basis of their attitude too. MARTINI is looking for a person who would embody ‘LUCK IS AN ATTITUDE’, the brand’s philosophy which runs down the history of the brand.

So, what’s the Louboutin connect? Well apart from the shoes made available for the next face of the brand, the legendary Christian Louboutin himself is in the panel of the judges for the event.

Starting 24th May, women over 25 years old can enter the MARTINI global casting at the brand’s Facebook platform. All you need to do is upload a short video describing why you should be the next MARTINI star! The casting is to run across 25 countries from Brazil to Spain, South Africa to Italy. Christian Louboutin, alongside a high profile judging panel, will choose the successful winning candidate in October 2012.
. All you need to do is upload a short video describing why you should be the next MARTINI star! The casting is to run across 25 countries from Brazil to Spain, South Africa to Italy. Christian Louboutin, alongside a high profile judging panel, will choose the successful winning candidate in October 2012.

Luxury footwear designer Christian Louboutin has launched its first app for iPhone and iPad, to provide users with an interactive experience for the brand.

The app is made up of six different interactive areas including the collection, which allows users to browse through seasonal collections. Under the name of 20 Ans, the section of the app features full sketches from the 20th anniversary capsule collection and Wish List - an interactive corkboard allowing users to collect their favourite shoes from the season.

The other three areas are a store locator, a news section, updating users with the latest news from the brand, and a video section.

The app is free to download from the app store and follows the launch of Louboutin’s European transactional ecommerce site which went live in April.

Christian Louboutin lancia

Compatibile con iPhone, iPod touch e iPad, arriva finalmente per la gioia di tutte le fashioniste, e per le amanti del bello in generale, l’app dedicata all’universo Christian Louboutin. E’ un periodo d’oro per lo shoes designer francese che quest’anno festeggia vent’anni di carriera ed e anche il protagonista di una meravigliosa mostra che si sta tenendo al Design Museum di Londra con grande successo.

L’app di Louboutin permettera di essere sempre aggiornate sulle nuove collezioni della linea principale e sulle tante e originali capsule collection, con immagini ad alta risoluzione che faranno ammirare nei dettagli i nuovi capolavori del designer. Inoltre la app Louboutin ci rivelera quale star ha appena scelto di indossare ad un evento mondano un paio di scarpe dalla mitica suola rossa e qual e l’ispirazione da cui nasce ogni nuova meravigliosa scarpa-scultura.

Inoltre ci dara anche molti utili consigli su quale modello scegliere a seconda dei nostri gusti e della nostra silhouette e potremo interagire con la nostra community di amiche mostrando loro il nostro ultimo sandalo del cuore. Naturalmente e presente lo Store Locator per individuare il punto vendita Christian Louboutin piu vicino a voi e, se non potete andare a Londra a godervi la spettacolare mostra con i modelli piu iconici dei suoi vent’anni di carriera, Christian Louboutin tramite la sua app vi permette di addentrarvi per le sale del museo e vivere l’atmosfera circense e burlesque, stile “Crazy Horse“, che si respira in questa speciale retrospettiva in cui una delle piu grandi protagoniste, sotto forma di ologramma!, e Dita von Teese, la musa dello stilista.

Grazie a questa app, inoltre, sara possibile esplorare tutto il mondo di Christian Louboutin e scoprire la sua storia iniziata per caso lavorando presso il mitico “Folies Bergeres” a Parigi come assistente di danza dove, nei momenti di pausa, disegnava meravigliose calzature di piume e paillettes per le splendide creature che vedeva esibirsi sul palco. Da lì a poco la decisione di aprire una sua boutique parigina la cui prima cliente fu la principessa Caroline di Monaco!

Tra pump, sandali gioiello, ma anche tante borse, soprattutto clutch e pochette da sogno, l’app di Louboutin e una autentica visione per gli occhi. Ogni immagine e onirica e costruita in modo da immaginare un mondo dove tutte noi possiamo sentirci regine del “Folies Bergeres” o del “Crazy Horse” o di qualche meraviglioso red carpet.

Most people associate the name Christian Louboutin with sexy, sky-high heels (all boasting that fire-engine-red sole), but Louboutin has also been designing men's shoes for the past few years. Right now there is only one freestanding Christian Louboutin men's store in the world, and it's in France. But very soon, one will open in New York City's Meatpacking District and it looks like Los Angeles will be next in line.

Step into summer

Usually reserved for festivals, the humble wellie has enjoyed an extended period of wear thanks to Britain’s recent non-stop downpours.

But if, like the rain, your big boots have outstayed their welcome then it’s time to enhance your summer wardrobe with a footwear fix.

It’s not just about traditional tan sandals this year. From the new ‘flatform’ through to Olympic-inspired footwear, shoes are taking fashionable steps into new territory.

Olympic standards

No need for Union Jack novelty footwear to acknowledge the London 2012 Olympics hype. Channel the Olympians and step up to the summer podium with medal-inspired shoes instead.

Bronze, silver and gold are the footwear colours of the season and the shiny shades are versatile enough to go with the majority of your spring/summer wardrobe.

Metallic shoes come in all forms, from towering wedges high enough to pole vault in, to flat sandals suitable for power walking on the pier.

Add extra sparkle to your look with glitter-embellished styles.

Flatform fever

Stand back wedges, there’s a new shoe on the block.

Meet the flatform – a cross between a wedge and a flat where the raised platform is virtually the same height from heel to toe.

Their architecture makes them undoubtedly one of the comfiest styles of the season.

Opt for strappy sandal styles for a variation on traditional flats, or try a closed toe if you’re not a fan of flaunting your feet.

As flatforms are trend-led, keep things interesting with a metallic snakeskin or even a glittery contrast heel. Who said flats had to be boring?

Colour blocker

Brights are big in our wardrobes this year and eye-popping hues have extended to our shoe cupboards.

While brave fashionistas will be stepping out in flashes of neon, primary colours can make just as much of an impact.

Either opt for a single bold shade or try the rainbow approach of clashing colours together on one pair of shoes. Just ensure you keep the basic shape simple and graphic enough to allow the colour to ‘pop’.

Even heels have undergone a colour blocking makeover, so opt for a chunkier platform to make a statement as you strut.

Ladylike hike

After years of clumping around in chunky soles and statement heels, girly shoes are back with bells (and bows) on.

With their dainty stiletto heels, pastel shades and metallic toes, Louis Vuitton’s Merry-Go-Round heels have made ladylike cool again. Add Kate Middleton to the court shoe equation and it’s a feminine takeover on the shoe shelves.

Look for sleek shapes, pointy toes and delicate straps to stay on trend and you can go to town on prints, bows or embellishments to up the girly elements.

For the final authentic ladylike touch, find super-skinny heels – just remember to watch out for drains!

Cool runnings

Back in 2012 Olympics mode, kit your feet out with this summer’s prevalent athletics aesthetic.

Concealed wedge trainers are one of fashion’s greatest inventions since David Beckham’s H&M underwear campaigns, adding height but being comfortable enough to sprint for the bus.

Keep things fresh, summery and less obviously gym-kit with a pale or pastel pair.

You may not win any medals for speed but you can still do sporty in slinky heels. Look for mesh panels, cut-out details, grip soles or sporty bright shades.

Full bloom

Take inspiration from RHS Chelsea Flower Show and inject some flower power into your summer footwear.

Botanicals have bloomed onto pumps, wedges and sandals to prettify your feet.

Try dainty digital floral buds or more obvious graphic bold blossoms – the bigger the surface area, such as wedges, the bigger the print impact.

Go full bloom and experiment clashing petal-inspired shoes with floral outfits.

Loubies sample sale: A drag

Famed transgender artist Amanda Lepore refused to wait in line with hundreds of others at the Christian Louboutin sample sale yesterday morning. The diva shimmied up in a bright red, skin-tight push-up top and pencil skirt around 9:30, when there were already 300 women waiting in the rain, some having been there since 5:30 a.m.

A witness said Lepore “started at the back of the line, decided she wasn’t going to wait and proceeded to waltz directly to the front of the 300 people waiting, and demanded to be let in first — which she was. Shoppers stuck in the pouring rain were furious.” An unrepentant Lepore later told us she bought four pairs of shoes and two handbags.

She cooed, “They’re just as high and sexy as stripper shoes, but more comfortable.” The invite-only event — which creates such a clamor that even Blake Lively bought 40 pairs a few years ago — was at Louboutin’s West 38th Street corporate offices, where only 10 people were let in at one time. By 8:30 a.m. yesterday, more than 100 women were already in line as the first was allowed in.

Meanwhile, some were desperately trying to talk their way past clipboard-wielding door staff, with tactics including name-dropping Louboutin employees, “claiming they were basketball wives” or attempting to sneak through the freight elevator — a move that failed because everyone on the list was given a stamp at the front door, which they had to show to get into the third-floor sale.

Others in line included Knick Tyson Chandler’s wife Kimberly, and Marvet Britto. Sources said staff introduced two new rules that sparked a further uproar: Shoppers could buy only eight pairs of shoes, and had to check their bags. A spy said, “They had everyone’s handbags tossed into an area.

It was a mountain of Celine and Hermes bags all piled up.” The sale will continue later this week — but if you’re not on the list, not a fast talker, nor famous, good luck.


They will, says Justine, undoubtedly become collector’s pieces. “Obviously some women will want to wear them and enjoy them, but others will want them as an investment and they are certain to retain and go up in value,” she says.

Cricket intends to keep its glass pedestal installation – created with the help of Elaine Cunningham Interiors – for the next few weeks so Louboutin devotees can admire.

“Even if it’s not to buy, I’d love girls to come in and just have a little look – they’re so amazing,” Justine adds.

Christian Louboutin to launch beauty line

French footwear designer Christian Louboutin, famous for making shoes with red-lacquered soles, is now expanding his brand into a beauty line.

Louboutin will work in partnership with a New York-based beauty group on the new venture - Christian Louboutin Beaute.

"The beauty side of the business has to mirror the quality of the shoes, of the bags, of all the DNA of the brand," femalefirst.co.uk quoted him as saying.

The shoe designer has declined to specify which categories the brand will cover, but he has promised that the goods will come with as much luxury as his shoes.

"The beauty adventure is a natural extension for someone like me, who likes to empower women and to be a part of creating beauty seems like the right next step," he said.

Some people don’t care about societal norms. That doesn’t change the tricky trade-off between equality and independence that lies at the heart of family finance.

When women have children and one parent, still usually the mother, sacrifices at least some earnings to maternity leave or part-time work or a less ambitious career, the notion of equality would seem to demand that both parents pool their (often different) incomes and decide on an identical spending allowance.

Shoe designer Christian Louboutin to enter beauty business with Batallure

Christian Louboutin SA and Batallure Beauty have created a joint venture to establish Christian Louboutin Beauté. The newly formed company, which marks Christian Louboutin’s first foray into the beauty industry, will develop and globally market luxury beauty products across a number of sectors. The first Christian Louboutin Beauté products are expected to launch in late 2013.

About Christian Louboutin
Founded in 1991 with one shop on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Paris, Christian Louboutin today is a global luxury brand. The iconic red sole is uniquely identifiable and the signature of all Christian Louboutin shoes for both women and men.

Fascinated and inspired by the worlds of culture and showgirls, exotic travels and nature, Louboutin is described variously as an artist, designer and showman. His diverse passions influence his highly original product, store designs and collaborations.

Louboutin has topped the Luxury Institute’s annual Luxury Brand Status Index for three years – his shoes being declared the “Most Prestigious Women’s Shoes” and was recently named one of the “All Time 100 Fashion Icons” by Time magazine.

Louboutin’s shoes and handbags are sold only in Christian Louboutin boutiques and in prestigious department and specialty stores worldwide, as well as through the brand’s own E- boutiques in Europe and North America. The company recently opened the first Louboutin Men’s Boutique in Paris, which will be followed by New York and London later this year.

Christian Louboutin to Launch Cosmetic Range

The owner of the world's most revered shoe brand is now trying his hands at beauty products. Christian Louboutin is reportedly launching a luxury cosmetic line, Christian Louboutin Beauté by next year.

The Parisian designer has teamed up with Batallure Beauty LLC, whose list of clients include Madonna and Justin Bieber.

"Wearing a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes completely transforms a woman and Christian will bring that same transformative quality to women through his beauty products," Robin Burns, Chairman and Co-Founder of the company, was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

Louboutin believes this beauty venture will add to women's love of the brand.

"Beauty products also have to do with empowering women. That's very much the job of the shoes I'm designing," he said and emphasised that they will "mirror the quality of the shoes, of the bags, of all the DNA of the brand."

The shoe-maker claims the collection was inspired by Queen Nefertiti and her 3,300-year-old bust at Berlin's Neues Museum.

"It's the most beautiful thing. I stayed like an hour just looking at the bust. It's a perfect beauty and the makeup is quite perfect," he was quoted in Fashion Indie.

The Princess of Monaco was the first person to promote Louboutin's designs which later gained a string of celebrity clients - a list which included names like Catherine Deneuve and Diane Von Furstenburg. 

Invitation Only Consignment E-Boutique

Designer Vault, LLC, an eBay Power Seller based in southern California, announces the launch of its invitation-only, online consignment boutique. Designer-Vault.com features affordable high-end contemporary and designer women's clothing and accessories - shoes, handbags, small leather goods and jewelry.
JoAnn Jack, Designer Vault consignor, FIDM Instructor, and Industry Professional, gushed, "Thank you, Designer Vault, for finally providing me a way to clean out my closet sans guilt. I am ecstatic knowing my former designer favorites have shipped to fashionable, fabulous new homes!"

Founded by Christina Samoylov, pioneering FIDM graduate and dynamic fashionista, Designer Vault is a hybrid of an exclusive, members-only discount luxury goods site and a more traditional upscale resale e-boutique. By blending highly desirable merchandise with highly competitive prices, Designer-Vault.com aims to change the game in online retail fashion sales.

According to Mrs. Jack, "I cure my fashion cravings on Designer Vault. They do such a tremendous job selling my gently worn designer goods, that they have lured me in as a regular customer. Many of the items they feature are so much more unique, special, and chic than what you might find on other e-boutiques."

Malin Akerman & Jessica Stam - Met Ball 2012

Malin Akerman and Jessica Stam walk the red carpet at the 2012 Met Ball held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday (May 7) in New York City.

Malin, 33, accessorized with Christian Louboutin shoes and Fred Leighton jewelry.

Jessica is wearing a John Galliano for Christian Dior Haute Couture dress with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

After replacing Lindsay Lohan in the Linda Lovelace film Inferno, Malin is now unsure if the film will ever be made.

“I don’t know if that’s even going to go,” Malin told THR last month. “Last I heard, which was just before Christmas, we were supposed to start shooting in March, and now it’s April. It’s been one of those doomed films that I absolutely love and totally believe in, I love the script, I think it’s such a well-written script about the behind-the-scenes of a battered woman.”

The designs are indeed imaginative in terms of decoration and global reference. Thigh-high snakeskin boots have been "tagged" in fluorescent spray-paint by a New York graffiti artist. Another pair in black suede are fringed from thigh to toe like a woolly poodle.

Linda Evangelista says zip as child- support deal is signed and sealed

Supermodel Linda Evangelista looked like a million dollars when she showed up Tuesday to finalize a child-support deal that ensures her son will continue living like a pampered prince.

Dressed in a black suit with a gray tailored blouse and designer Christian Louboutin leopard-print heels, Evangelista let her lawyer do the talking for her.

There was no sign of billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault, father of their now 5-year-old love child, Augustin.

"We are happy that we were able to reach an agreement for the benefit and well-being of our son, Augie,” the pair said in a statement.

The agreement was sealed and includes a confidentiality agreement which nullifies it if anybody blabs.

So far, the only inkling of how much Pinault agreed to pay Evangelista came from a source familiar with the negotiations, who told the Daily News on Monday that the former face of L’Oreal got “nowhere near the $46,000 a month” she was seeking in child support.

That amount would have shattered the state record for child support currently held by Sean (Diddy) Combs, who pays $19,000 a month for his son Justin.

Brown Shoe Company Announces Promotion

Brown Shoe Company, today announced the promotion of John Mazurk to division president Healthy Living, which includes the company's Naturalizer, Dr. Scholl's Shoes, LifeStride, Avia and Ryka brands. John will continue to report to Diane Sullivan, president and chief executive officer for Brown Shoe Company, and also join the executive management team.

"I'm delighted to have John lead the strategic growth of our Healthy Living brands going forward," said Diane Sullivan. "His background and experience in this area will help as we continue to focus on the key Family, Healthy Living and Contemporary Fashion consumer platforms."

Prior to his new role, John was senior vice president of consumer and retail business development for Brown Shoe Company. He has also served as senior vice president and general manager of Naturalizer and as senior vice president of retail sales for the company's Famous Footwear division. Prior to joining Brown Shoe Company, John held various executive roles at DFS Group LTD., Gymboree Corporation's Franchise Division and Burdines Federated Department Stores.

John holds a bachelor's degree in management and finance from Florida Atlantic University.

About Brown Shoe Company

Brown Shoe Company is a $2.6 billion, global, footwear company that puts consumers and their needs first, by targeting the strategic Family, Healthy Living and Contemporary Fashion platforms. We have more than 130 years of experience, passion and product innovation and operate more than 1,300 Famous Footwear and Naturalizer retail stores across the United States, Canada and China.

For the love of Daw Suu

CLAD in a Roberto Cavalli green mini dress and matching Christian Louboutin multi-coloured pumps, Ipoh-born international actress Datuk Michelle Yeoh impressed her audience at the recent Press conference by reciting a portion the 1988 political speech by Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi — in fluid Burmese.

“I was doing it every day and night for six months. I slept, ate and breathed the language. I had to know the speech very well so that when the director Luc (Besson) wanted the emotional depth to come from here or there, I would be able to do it without even thinking about it. Everything should come naturally,” said Yeoh who portrayed Suu Kyi in the bio-pic film The Lady which opened in cinemas here yesterday.
Does she speak fluent Burmese now?

“All I can do is give a (scripted) political speech very well. I don’t think I can hold a conversation in the Burmese language though. I am thankful to have had a wonderful Burmese speech teacher,” she explained, adding that Daw Suu — that’s what she calls Suu Kyi (“Daw” is used to denote respect in Myanmar) never looks at her written speech when addressing her people.

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Women's Wear Daily has the scoop on the slipper

Disney has reached out to French shoe designer Christian Louboutin - he of the red-soled heels that fashion-addicted women dream of - to design his version of Cindy's glass slipper.

"The designer will put his own 'magic touch' on the shoes - to be formally revealed in the summer - in honor of Walt Disney's re-release of 'Cinderella' on Blu-ray and DVD this fall. 'I have been so lucky to have crossed paths with Cinderella, an icon who is so emblematic to the shoe world as well as the dream world,' said Louboutin."

As someone who spent her formative years playing with Barbies, this is welcome news. Do you remember the sparkly Crystal Barbie shoe? It was so cool - a pointed-toe pump, made of clear plastic with a glittery sparkle. I wished I had Barbie's wardrobe on many occasions.

I'm hoping Louboutin does something similar. I wonder how he'll incorporate his signature red sole into a clear shoe?

Yes, shoes are big news to some of us pop-culture-obsessed people. But it's an interesting lesson and shows just how important marketing and product placement have become in the world of movies and DVDs.

Disney is not only looking for little princesses anymore, but also they want the big girls to buy the DVD for their daughters. Thus, the shoe fever begins.

It's been a joy sharing these gems with you over the past months. I'm moving on from the Tulsa World, but I'll always be a pop addict.

Au revior and stay poppy!