Carla Bruni Battles Against AIDS

Supermodel turned France's first lady Carla Bruni uses her influence to support the battle against AIDS.

Being the wife of the influential France President Nicolas Sarkozy, the 40-year old Italian-born former model says she will focus her AIDS charity work on the plight of mothers and children who are affected by the disease.

Carla Bruni will act as a goodwill ambassador for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, as well as other deadly diseases including tuberculosis and malaria.

Although she is not well-praised for her music, the model-turned first lady's charity campaigns will be given credits, hopefully.

From modeling to songwriting/singing to politics, Carla Bruni often speaks out about using her powerful position to help good causes. Her support to battle against AIDS is just one of them.

Models Run From Elephants: The 2009 Pirelli Calendar Shoot

Behind the glamorous world of modeling, there's exhausting shooting, acting... and running from elephants?

For the 2009 Pirelli calendar shoot, supermodels Isabeli Fontana, Daria Werbowy, and Lara Stone flew to Botswana and shoot with exotic creatures and animals.

There were fights-back-tears scenes that require the models not only to project but to act and cry in front of the camera. On another scene, models were seen running and splashing on water while being chased by elephants.

Check out the 2009 Pirelli calendar shoot and witness the, as they say, “all the things that models must do to earn a quid in this world.”

Teenager Jourdan Dunn: Model of the Year

British teenage model Jourdan Dunn was crowned Model of Year at the British Fashion awards in London on Tuesday night.



At 18, the black beauty Jourdan Dunn was already a hot name in the fashion industry. She was seen as the new Naomi Campbell, considering her phenomenal rise to the modeling world despite the scarcity of black models in the industry.

Just like Naomi Campbell, the teenage model is also an outspoken critic of racism in the modeling industry:

"London is not a white city. So why should our catwalks be so white? I go to castings and see several black and Asian girls, then I get to the show and there's just me."

Indeed, the 179 cm tall Jourdan Dunn can be considered phenomenal. One year ago, she was just an ordinary teenager wandering around the high street shop Primark. Who would have thought that she would face the crowd whose spectators include the famous Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, Jade Jagger, Emilia Fox, and Erin O'Connor to receive the Model of the Year Award?

Now, isn't that amazing?

Marc Jacobs: Tattooed Fashion Designer

Aside from being one of the world's most influential gay, American fashion designer and creative director of the French design house Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs shares the trend that artists, even ordinary ones, embody as fashion – tattoo.

In his recent interview with the Rolling Stones, he openly talks about his fetish for tattoo:

"I really have a good attitude about tattooing. When I first got one, two years ago, I was like, 'I'm not going to overthink this or what it means, or what it's going to be like when I'm 80. I want to get tattooed today, and in five weeks, I'll get a SpongeBob tattoo.' Will I regret it someday? I don't know, but I'm not going to deny myself this pleasure today because of what I don't know in the future."

Truly, Marc Jacobs is one fashion designer who lives up to his love for tattoos in the same way that his Louis Vuitton campaign asks – “Where will life take you?”

Indian Women Invade the World of Modeling?

After the hype of Brazilian and Russian models, some people believed that Indian women will be the next beauties to invade the world of modeling.



Thanks to top Indian models Padma Lakshmi and Ujwalla Raut, and the latest campaign of Lakshmi Menon for Givenchy and Hermis and her pose for Mario Testino in Paris Vogue, the beauties of Indian women have been slowly making a trend in the modeling world.

While Lakshmi Menon has recently been described by a fashion site as “a new girl who might be the country's next big thing,” still another Indian model is making a name in advertising campaigns – the lovely Kangana Dutta. Kangana Dutta was also shot for Harper's Bazaar by Oliviero Toscani. She was recently signed by IMG.

As the Indian IMG model puts it, “Indian women stand out, from the color of their skin to their features. Without us, fashion isn't complete."

Well, for Indian women to invade the world of modeling, Kangana Dutta's remark surely makes the initial statement.

Haley Joel Osment: Child Actor Who Grows Up

It's not easy to remain in showbiz when you are a child actor. One day, you grow up and outgrow your cute role. As they said, “Once in demand, they find more doors closed than opened as attention shifts to the next 'It' Kid.”



Haley Joel Osment was a phenomenal child actor way back in the 90s. He was famous for portraying the role of a child who sees ghost in the "Sixth Sense," where he won an Oscar nomination. It was in the film where he spoke the famous quote, “I see dead people!”

Now at 20, not many people (especially the younger generations) are familiar of Haley Joel Osment. It does not mean though that he has leave acting for good. Two years ago, he enrolled at New York University's theater program to hone his craft. And today, Haley Joel Osment made his Broadway debut in a revival of David Mamet's "American Buffalo."

Unlike some movie stars who struggled to act in live audience, he was well-praised by critics who sees him as a "a phenomenally gifted actor,” instinctive, smart, one who asks the right questions and takes risks. The former child star has found also the theatre experience invigorating.

"There's so much to learn about acting and performance in general. ... I mean, acting is a very complex art, and there are a lot more theories and methods and techniques to it than I think anybody would think. ... Some of our best respected film and stage performances come from people like (Marlon) Brando and everything, and they studied their entire lives.”

Once compared to Daniel Radcliffe who made an edgy shift to theater performance in “Equus” from his lovable “Harry Potter” character, the grown-up Haley Joel Osment was quoted as saying he was "never interested in the business of promoting myself. I really don't care if people know who I am or what's said about me. I'm just here to do a job.” “He's got it a lot tougher than I do, 'cause there's merchandise out there with him on it," he added with a laugh.

Haley Joel Osment believes that good film roles are scarce for actors in his age group. While he dreams of directing someday, he seemed to be complacent with his acting career at the moment. His advice to grown-up child actors:

"You always have to avoid working for the sake of putting yourself out there. I've been very happy with the way things have gone throughout my life, and I have my dad (actor Eugene Osment) to thank for this, because the standard has just been, `Is it a good story? Is it something that I care enough about doing to do? And is it the right type of character, too?”

Transgender Model Isis King Will Become A Woman

Tyra Banks will help Isis King, the first transgender contestant of America's Next Top Model, to become a real woman by undergoing sex change operation.


Tyra Banks has announced on Tuesday in her talk show that she has found a doctor to pay for Isis King to undergo sex reassignment surgery – a wonderful gift from the supermodel and creator of America's Next Top Model.

Also on the Tyra Banks Show, Isis King was introduced to Dr. Marci Bowers, a leading gender reassignment surgeon who has also undergone a sex-change operation. It will be Dr. Bowers herself who will be paying for the surgery.

The 23-year old Isis King was born born Darrell Walls. She was living in a homeless shelter when Tyra Banks discovered her. She was featured in a photo shoot for the 10th cycle of America's Next Top Model and returned as a full-fledged contestant on the reality series this current season. However, the transgender model got kicked off later midway through the show after failing to produce a stunning photo in her swim suit.

“Darrell was somebody that I had to be. He had to be a certain thing. Darrell was never me. Isis is me. I’m free, I’m happy,” Isis King said.

When the supportive Tyra Banks announced the future transformation of Isis King, the transgender model excitedly remarked, “This is not happening! “(I feel) like I’m about to wake up.”

Isis King had been taking hormone replacement therapy but hadn’t received the surgery because of the high costs ($20,000 to $35,000). Now that her dream of becoming a real woman is about to come true, she could not help but get sentimental:

“I look at it like, ‘Yes, I’m the first transgender contestant, but OK, lets move past it now. I try not to think about (being transgendered) because… I feel like I really was born in the wrong body, and it’s just the one thing that makes me feel uncomfortable.”

Mannequin Models

If Japan has their robot fashion models, mannequin models are also out in US shops. The mannequin models who resemble like the famous fashion models of today are said to be made of two parts plastic to one part latex.

Unlike the supermodel Karolina Kurkova, however, mannequin models have belly buttons. A fashion insider tells, “We often use a small drill to bore a hole on the mannequin’s stomach and pack it with felt to make it look like a belly button. Karl (Lagerfeld) uses limited edition belly buttons harvested from female Russian prisoners and guinea pig eyes.”

The mannequin models are said to be operated by radio control. Former head of animatronics at the Strom Agency, Peter Roebuck, explains,

“Right now the technology only allows the girls to walk in straight lines, turn and walk back again. But we hope things will improve. The Japanese are doing great things with models and there is talk of one of them being able to eat actual food, open and close her eyes, and poo and wee.”

With the mannequin models' closer resemblance to real fashion models, it is not impossible that they will join the catwalk queens in future fashion events. But with little knowledge of the English language that allow the mannequin models to say “Hi,” “Let's go play,” and “I love you. You're my best friend,” they might not be available for media interview.

Supermodel Karolina Kurkova's Secret, Revealed!

Supermodel Karolina Kurokova's secret has been revealed when she appeared at a shoot for the underwear line Victoria's Secret in Miami Beach, Florida during the weekend. Observers were quick to notice something that's missing from the 24-year old Czech beauty – she has no belly button!

Popular and top fashion model that she is, Karolina Kurkova ranked number eight (8) from the list of world's highest paid models last year, with millions of photographs on the pages of glossy magazines. Yet, her unusual abdominal feature – that is, lack of belly button – has been unnoticed.

Thus started the speculation that Supermodel Karolina Kurkova's photographs in the past show the model in airbrushed belly button.

Supermodel Karolina Kurkova's secret is finally revealed. Surprise, surprise! While other fashion models tried anxiously to hide their navels and fashion critics debate about the the relative merits of having an "innie" or "outie" belly button, here's one supermodel who successfully rise up to the top of modeling world despite having no belly button at all.

50-Year Old Madonna, Next Face Of Louis Vuitton?

The larger-than-life Madonna, who just turned 50 this year, remains unstoppable in her career as music and fashion icon. After wide media coverage of her Sticky and Sweet concert tour and reports about her nearing divorce with film-maker Guy Richie, the Material Girl is once again making news these days.


Whispers are circulating that 50-year old Madonna will be the new face of Louis Vuitton's spring/summer 2009 campaign. It has also been reported that fashion photographer Steven Meisel will be the one photographing the luxury ad campaign.

If the Louis Vuitton ad campaign is true, it will be another team-up for Madonna and Steven Meisel who recently worked together on the May 2008 cover of Vanity Fair's annual green issue.

Meanwhile, a representative from Louis Vuitton is yet to confirm the rumors.

Heidi Klum Guitar Hero Video Commercial

The face of the new Guitar Hero: World Tour Video is not just any model but the Supermodel Heidi Klum who mesmerizes the viewers for a 30-second commercial spot.

She graces the launch of the game in UK by performing a parody of Tom Cruise's air guitar scenes from “Risky Business.”

The Guitar Hero: World Tour is the first game in the series to include drums and microphones in addition to the eponymous instrument. The video game series has already earned almost $2 billion since it's first release.

There are two versions of Heidi Klum's Guitar Hero video:

Family Friendly Version



Racy, Director's Version



“The next day I couldn't move anything. Then I had like a rug burn, for the wrong reasons, because I had to jump off the table and land on my knees with the guitar. It literally went for five hours straight, but it was fun,” says the supermodel of her experience in making the video.

Indeed, the guitar hero video commercial may be fun and/or sexy to view, but it is not simple play for the Supermodel Heidi Klum.

Victoria's Secret Toxic' Bra Claims

Victoria's Secret, the leading lingerie firm who popularizes the use of top fashion models in its underwear campaigns, was sued by dozens of women who claim their “toxic bra” has made them ill.

One of Victoria's Secret customer who has filed a lawsuit against the company was 37-year old Roberta Ritter from Ohio, USA who also said she has been contacted by many women suffering similar symptoms:

“I had the welts that were very red, hot to the touch, extremely inflamed, blistery. It itched profusely. I couldn’t sleep and was waking up itching.”

Ritter said she had her bra tested for chemicals and claimed it had traces of formaldehyde, a textile industry chemical used to make fabrics crease-resistant.

Ritter thus believed that the itchiness, rashes, and welts that several customers are experiencing were due to the allergic reaction from the Victoria's Secret “Toxic Bra.” Together with other women who joined a class action lawsuit against the lingerie company, Ritter demanded compensation.

Several customers who brought push-up bras from Victoria's Secret claimed they suffered painful rashes and welts. One claimed to have been permanently scarred after wearing the roughly £30 Angels Secret Embrace bra. A US medical Web site was also flooded with complaints against the underwear company.

Amidst all these complaints, a spokesman for Victoria’s Secret denied the accusation that formaldehyde was used to produce its bras.

"We have strict quality controls around our products, and we do not use formaldehyde in our bras. We are sorry that a small number of people have had an issue. Customer safety and satisfaction are always our primary concerns and we take seriously any issues that our customers may have with our products.”

Meanwhile, a judge will decide next year if the lawsuit can be brought against the Victoria's Secret Toxic' Bra claims.

Gemma Atkinson Talks About Her Body Image

For Kate Moss or Kate Beckinsale, it may be something else. But for the British glamour model Gemma Atkinson, good body image means big boobs and curvy hips.

In her recent interview with Nuts Magazine, Gemma Atkinson had a long talk with body image issues. She candidly speaks about the importance of her breast surgery and body curves.

Here are excerpts from her interview:

“I’m an E cup now, which is pretty big, but not too big for my frame. I’m tall with a strong body, so I don’t look too top heavy. I have to say that having my boobs done hasn’t given me a taste for surgery. I’d never have it done to my face and liposuction is lazy - I’d rather work weight off at the gym. My clothes have changed a lot since I got new breasts two years ago, and I’ve done a calendar with my new assets. People keep saying they’re massive but they’re the same size as they were before - I’ve just lost loads of weight and had my boobs put back to the same size. I read somewhere that they were double-F, but if they were, I wouldn’t be able to walk! I was really surprised at how much coverage they got the enlargement. It felt like the nation was obsessed with them!”

“...I’d hate to be too skinny. Skinny girls just look ill to me. When I was younger, all the girls wanted to be like Kate Moss, but I wanted to look like Jet from Gladiators or Xena: Warrior Princess! I come from a surdy northern stock. I’m like my mum and my sister - we’re all broad-shouldered with strong legs and curves. I’ve never been fat but when I got asked to do my first men’s mag, I was aware I was carrying too much weight. I had a pot belly and big hamster cheeks! The Hollyoaks producers were brilliant and never put me under pressure to lose weight, but I knew that if I was going to start to do bikini and lingerie shoots, I’d need to improve my figure.”

Well, we are all entitled to our own opinions. And Gemma Atkinson seemed to be happy with her body image. For one, she is making the most out of the way she looks.

How Kate Beckinsale Becomes Confident Of Her Body

Kate Beckinsale admits she is not always confident about her body, especially in her 20s when she did not have idea about healthy eating.



"I'd eat a small breakfast and lunch and then have a baked potato for dinner and feel really horrible," she says.

Now that she's 35, the beautiful actress tells the December issue of British Elle, “I am a lot more body confident now I'm in my 30s and am in better shape, too."

Her secret? Healthy eating. Healthy living. And not overdoing it.

"Now my typical daily diet is eggs or oatmeal for breakfast, a chicken or vegetable wrap for lunch, then fish and vegetables for dinner.”

"But if someone turns up with cupcakes mid-afternoon, I'll have one. I'm not aiming to be Gisele. And I'd hate to be one of those people who won't allow themselves a slice of birthday cake."

"I just can't make it part of my daily life. I go to the gym when I have to, and if I have to bulk up or slim down for a film, I will,” continues the stunning star. "I've recently got back into exercising four times a week. I run for half an hour at a time but never outdoors, as I don't exercise in public. My gym's in my garage at home."

Kate Beckinsale is also vocal when it comes to airing her opinion regarding body image issues: “Why do we encourage this war on women's bodies? It's a horrendous way to live, and I refuse to."

Not only does the lovely Kate Beckinsale radiates beauty as she becomes more confident of her body, she also shines with boldness to stand for the things that she believes. You go girl!

Barack Obama, Male Fashion Model?

Not only that Barack Obama has become a model for the African-American people for being the first black president of USA, fashion critics are also eyeing him as a male fashion model.


At 47, Barack Obama is well-praised for his trim figure and newly salt-'n-peppery sexy mane. Fashion designers want to get their clothes on him because he's athletic and undeniably hot nowadays.

As pants J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons Mazeau said in an interview, “He could wear a paper bag and I would still love him. He just looks effortless. He understands how his clothes should fit.”

Marc Bouwer agrees, “I love that he wears narrow, fitted suits and that he doesn’t wear the typical Washington suit with baggy pants."

And Elie Tahari issued the come-hither below, addressing Barack Obama as “Mister Handsome.”

“He could be a male model. Whatever he has been wearing has been appropriate. I think the fashion industry will have a ball with him. They will have so much fun because he is built so well. They all love to dress him and I’d love to dress him too. We do men’s wear.”

Wow! So much for this bold, young man who has successfully win the hearts of the American people. With fashion experts now looking at him as a potential male fashion model, Barack Obama may have already win the heart of the fashion industry too.

Stacey McKenzie Helps Women Thrive!

Life has never been busier for international supermodel Stacey McKenzie as she shares her beauty and modeling expertise from television to cyberspace.

After months of her valued involvement in Canada’s Next Top Model, America’s Next Top Model, MTV’s Made, and The Tyra Banks Show, supermodel Stacey McKenzie is now bringing her X-factor to cyberspace as a beauty mentor to Thrive! – a new organization on the web that helps women achieve more in their lives through connection, as it provides a place for women “to connect and take online friendships offline with the goal of personal growth and ultimately giving back to the communities in which they live.”

Stacey McKenzie has already worked for many major markets and top designers around the world including Tommy Hilfiger, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Alexander McQueen. She has been on the covers of famous fashion magazines like Essence, Le Monde and Panache. She has also appeared for editorials in Vogue (US, Japan, Korean, British, Spanish), Harper’s Bazaar, and Vibe magazines among others.

When it comes to helping women understand their true beauty and potential, supermodel Stacey McKenzie is an inspiration. As a black supermodel with unique features, she has gone through many criticisms in the fashion world to prove that women who do not fit the typical standard of beauty can also become the standard.

She agreed to become a beauty mentor when she learned about the site's goal of empowering women to act:

“What I think will really resonate with woman is the fact that they develop real friendships where they live. Not just with someone on their computer who lives in a different country. There’s also something within us women that comes alive when we can make a positive difference. I think many women want this and they just don’t know where to begin...”

Obama Wins, Get Stylish!

It's official: Democrat Barack Obama wins the 2008 US presidential election over Republican rival John McCain on Tuesday.

While the first US black president will be busy with deep economic crisis and two lingering wars in the days to come, Obama supporters can celebrate his victory and get stylish meantime.



Here are some Obama-themed goodies that will surely show your national pride for the 47-year old, Democrat president:

Heidi Klum Indian Goddess Kali Halloween Costume

Halloween is over. But not without news from celebrities who celebrated the 31st of October in their highly-recognized Halloween costumes. Supermodel Heidi Klum and her Indian goddess Kali Halloween costume is one image to remember.


Heidi Klum attended a Halloween party at New York’s 1 Oak on Friday. For this year's Halloween bash, the supermodel came dressed up as Indian goddess Kali.

Heidi Klum was proud of her Indian Goddess costume: “I loved it because she’s so mean and killed all these different people and (had) fingers hanging off (her) and little shrunken heads everywhere.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Hindu Alliance of India called the costume “denigrating.” According to the group, “Goddess Kali is highly revered in Hinduism and she is meant to be worshiped in temples and not to be used in clubs for publicity stunts or thrown around loosely for dramatic effects.”

After hearing back negative comments from Hindu leaders, looks like Heidi Klum herself is the one being frightened by her Indian Goddess Kali Halloween costume, after all.

Top Australian Models Fight Ovarian Cancer

For the first time, Australia's top models Miranda Kerr, Catherine McNeil, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Nicole Trunfio among other elite Aussie catwalk queens, have joined forces to help fight ovarian cancer.

The Australian models bandied to help launch the White Shirt Campaign, in conjunction with Aussie retailer Witchery. They also posed together for the November 2008 cover of Madison magazine (see photo above).

“With the purchase of any five specially-designed white tops (from AU$89.99), 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF).”

Check the video of top Australian models fighting ovarian cancer below: