Intimidated Supermodel

Tyra Banks for Alexander McQueen



Tyra Banks used to feel 'intimidated' by fashion designers. The supermodel-turned-businesswoman admitted although she enjoyed a successful career as a model before developing her own business empire, she felt like a 'little teenage girl' around designers such as Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld.

She said: 'I'm not the high-fashion girl inside. So I was walking in the runways of Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent and Dior and all the other top designers of the world and the Vogues and the Bazaars and all that globally, but I always still felt intimidated, which is interesting.

'Karl Lagerfeld is dressing me, Yves Saint Laurent is like smoothing my hem or something, and I felt like a little teenage girl and these amazing designers were around me and they were like these Greek gods.'

The 'America's Next Top Model' presenter and producer - who recently launched her own online magazine Type F - also revealed that fellow model Cindy Crawford, who was always in control of her surroundings, inspired her to immerse herself in the business side of the industry. Recalling the moment she witnessed Cindy's power for herself, she told NYmag.com: 'She had all these people around her and she looked so in control.

'She was hosting MTV's 'House of Style', and I was just like, 'Wooooaaaahhhh. She's not waiting for a phone to ring and for a designer to hire her, and I know she has a Revlon contract, and I hear that she has an office at Revlon.' ' 'Like to me her having an office in the Revlon building was like, 'I want an office in a building like that.' '

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Beauty and Brains

Tyra Banks gets up three hours early so she has time to work out and put on her make-up.


The 37-year-old model-and-television presenter is currently studying at Harvard Business School and admitted she rises at 4.45am in order to get ready to meet her study group at 7.30am every morning.

She explained: 'I have to work out and eat breakfast beforehand and get ready and be a female. But in the end, I never would have had it any other way. I have made life-long friends among my classmates.'

Meanwhile the busy entrepreneur has today (15.03.11) launched her own beauty and style website, TypeF, where women can input their vital statistic and every time they log on, are greeted with content matched to their physical characteristics.

Tyra explained to USA Today: 'We decided to keep a blank slate for women to fill in what that F means to them. It's done with humor and fun. It's a very specific voice. TypeF is saying,

'No, you are good enough. You deserve to wear that trend too.''

Devil wears Manolo not Prada

Manolo Blahnik would be 'hurt' if Anna Wintour wore shoes by another designer. The US Vogue editor has only worn two styles of shoes for over 10 years - both made by Manolo - and he admitted if she were to turn to one of his rivals for her footwear now he would be displeased.

He said: 'I am incredibly thankful for Anna's loyalty and if she chooses to move in another direction, I would also respect that. Betrayed is too strong a word but I'd definitely be hurt.'

The Spanish designer thinks Anna has refused to deviate from the two styles - which have been nicknamed AW - because she is so sure of what suits her.

He explained to fashionweekdaily.com: 'Anna knows herself very well and what suits her best. Anna always like to have her shoes, like everything in her wardrobe, impeccable at all times. Her favourite colours are skin tones.

I have produced two skin tones that particularly suit Anna.' Choosing Anna's shoes is a collaborative process for the designer and the editor and says it changes depending on her wardrobe.

He explained: 'I often talk to Anna about what's inspiring her that particular season and what she's ordered for her wardrobe. Anna has fantastic legs, and her feet are always meticulously groomed.

We're always discussing materials and adjusting the heel heights and whether or not straps should be wider or stay the same.

In the end, it is always up to Anna.'

Q ... wearing those high heels will hurt too. So do our bank accounts.

Billion Dollar Fashion

Jessica Simpson's fashion line is set to make $1 billion this year.

The 30-year-old singer-and-actress - who launched her Jessica Simpson Collection in 2007 - is to make history by being the first celebrity to reach the staggering sun in annual sales after seeing her current figures rise by almost a quarter in the last 12 months.

News of her amazing fashion success - which puts her in the same league as famous fashion designers Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang and Donna Karan - is sure to be a shock to Jessica.

She said in an upcoming interview with New York magazine: 'I never thought I'd be some fashion mogul.'

When Jessica launched the collection, she sold just handbags, shoes and boots, but gradually expanded to include watches, clothing, cosmetics, luggage, fragrances and swimwear, which is all sold in major department stores in the US.

The 'Dukes of Hazzard' star - who is engaged to former NFL player Eric Johnson - is also planning to launch new ready-to-wear and career separates lines.

Sources close to Jessica have previously praised her business skills. One insider said recently: 'She attends all business meetings and makes all major decisions. She's a sharp businesswoman and knows what women want.'

Q ...unbelievable. No Beyonce? Not Heidi Klum? Not Victoria B? Nor Sarah Jessica? Not the Kardashian?

Crowning Glory a top a Hill

Sitting atop Mount Faber, a posh place for pubbing, dinning, clubbing the night away, is The Jewel Box.

Dedicated areas with names like Black Opal, Saphire, Moon Stone, Jade, Emerald Lodge, Amber Galleria, Diamond Palace and world famous one and only 7-Star Swarovski Cable cars to spend the night with the stars ( literally) , you know what bling bling is when you spend a lavish night here.

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Maple Story

Naomi Campbell thinks she should do more exercise.

The 40-year-old supermodel admits she doesn't work out as much as she would like to but believes having a healthy mind keeps her fit.

However, one exercise Naomi is fan of is swimming and has been doing a lot of it since moving to Russia to be with her Russian real estate entrepreneur boyfriend Vladislav Doronin.

She said: 'Actually, I don't work out as much as I should, but I do believe that it's a healthy mind as well as a healthy body that keeps me fit, sound and calm.'

While she doesn't exercise as much as she would like, Naomi recently revealed she undergoes an extreme detox three times a year in a bid to maintain her stunning figure.

The supermodel admitted she has just Maple syrup, cayenne pepper and lemon juice in a cocktail form for days on end and credited it with her being able to stay in shape.

She said: 'I try to do this three times a year. The most I've ever done it for is 18 days. So I started on Sunday. This is the sixth day. 'It's good just to clean out your body once in a while.'

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Cool as Iron Drink

The Kor Delta water bottle.

It brings designer chic and cinematic magic to the gym-crowd.

So stylish that it was chosen to be on the set for Tony Stark in Iron Man 2.
That bottle that Junior touched would cost a collector's bomb.

But for the rest of us, this cool container which is as practical (push button) as it is clinical ( BPA-Free! Like anyone cares) for a (quite; 10x Approximately the cost of mine perhaps) small a price tag.


Still, I want one !!!! (Or all the above)

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The Model and the Mask

Jim Carrey is allegedly dating an 'America's Next Top Model'contestant.
(Jim C in Batman)

(Anchal, of ANTM)


The 'I Love You Philip Morris' actor - who has been single since his five-year relationship with Jenny McCarthy ended last April - has sparked speculation he is romancing 24-year-old Anchal Joseph after they were pictured leaving a New York theatre smiling and holding hands.

Anchal - who is 25 years younger than the actor - came seventh in the seventh season on the reality TV series in 2006, which is fronted by Supermodel and talk show host Tyra Banks. (below)




Q ... dear Tyra, you've created a star .... :)

2 Fast 2 Fierce!

For Elle magazine

Devon Aoki is pregnant.

The 28-year-old Supermodel is expecting her first child with financier fiance James Bailey and the pair are thrilled at the prospect of becoming parents.

Her representative said: 'Devon and James are extremely happy. They became engaged over the summer, and she has just found out she is pregnant.'

Devon - who is the heiress to a large fortune as her father (Olympic wrestler Rocky Aoki died in 2008) founded the Benihana chain of restaurants - began modelling at aged 13 and took over from Naomi Campbell as the face of Versace when she was 16.

She then ventured into acting appearing in films such as 'Sin City' and '2 Fast 2 Furious'.

When she first burst onto the modelling scene, she was touted as the new Kate Moss and while she has never achieved the same success, Devon has huge admiration for the 36-year-old beauty. (Gotta be kidding. Aoki has modelLed for the fashion houses Lancôme, Chanel, Versace, despite her relatively short height for a runway model. Aoki has done ad campaigns for Chanel Ready-to-Wear, Chanel Couture by Karl Lagerfeld, Versace by Steven Meisel, YSL by Juergen Teller, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Hugo Boss, Moschino, Ungaro, Fendi, Junko Shimada by Bettina Kimenda, Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, Lancome, Tiffanys and co.)

She has previously said: 'I have a lot of love for her. I hate all the bad publicity she has had over the past year, because she is a wonderful person - she is a true icon.'~ MSN

Q .... I'll have Devon over Kate . anytime !!! Gorgeous.

Why Hold it Against Her?

In a world going pop GaGa, divaliciously Sasha and red-headed Only girl in the world Ella, even Aguilera is going Bionic. Can Britney still be the sweet doe-eyed girl-next door (that is if you happen to live in Beverly Hills)and still expect to make it?

Ah, Miss Britney.

The teen that grew up too fast. Sold too many albums and concert tickets. Became a mother too soon. Became a train wreck too quickly.

But the famous lip-syncher who brought us Crazy, sexy and cool in her 1-2-3 Gimme more glory is more than just a Circus act.

She's against the music but hopes you're not against her.

But why should we?

She's pure entertainment.

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More Style than Spice?

Victoria Beckham is flattered people think Roland Mouret designs her fashion label.

At 18 I was in the Spice Girls. But I wasn't very good, let's be honest, I didn't really, you know. sing. This is something I can do.'

The former Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer - who launched her clothing collection in 2008 - often has to contend with reports claiming Roland does all her work for her and while she insists it's not true, she looks at it as a compliment.

She said: 'I suppose if people think the clothes are too good for me to have designed them, that's a backhanded compliment.

Look, I don't draw, but nor do lots of designers. I tie things around me. I experiment with ideas and I try to work out a way to make everything flattering and make a woman feel beautiful.

Oprah Winfrey recently asked me to make her a dress. I must be doing something right.'

Seeing Red and Seeing Beautiful

Rihanna is not only doing fabulously well on the charts with her brand of souless vocals matched to dance music to great effect, she's beginning to be quite the style icon.

Here, she continues to be flaming red hot.

Incognito, she is not for sure.

But better than a self-indulgent diva like Beyonce or the attention-seeking Gaga, she definitely is!

Q

I Need Your Lovin

Only 54. And gone.

The world misses a kindred spirit. A voice of a generation. A voice of a cutural exchange.

An inspirational figure of racial acceptance , tolerance.

Teena Marie, you will be dearly missed in this new year.

God bless you in Heaven.

Q