Fashion Designer Sues Courtney Love

A designer filed six complaints in a lawsuit against Courtney Love.

Fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir filed a lawsuit against Courtney Love on six complaints. The six listed complaints are invasion of privacy, invasion of privacy, intentional interference with a prospective economic advantage, intentional infliction of emotional distress and two charges for breach of contract.

Simorangkir alleges that she is “the latest victim of Love’s volatile personality, hair trigger temper, and malicious and tortuous behavior,” in the document. According to the lawsuit, Love spread “vile and vicious lies” about the designer, and it describes Love as “an obsessive and delusional crusade to terrorize and destroy” Simorangkir.

To further establish the complaints, the Twitter and MySpace postings are provided, Radaronline.com reports.

The postings call the designer a “liar” and a “drug addict” in a long laundry list of accusations. Simorangkir is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

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Designer Plus Size Dresses For Women

Nowadays, there seems to be a lot of younger people belonging to the plus-size category. Nevertheless, they need dresses to make them stand out and look fashionable too. Many fashion retailers have come out with great outfits in large sizes.

We all know that the fashion industry is changing, along with the recent trends and needs for Designer Plus Size Dresses. Internet is helping out the peoples in finding lot of fashion shops and merchants with a wide range of Designer Plus Size Dresses. These plus size dresses are offered at discounted prices, which is another definite plus.

But what exactly is a plus-size? Well, this is the most common term used to define women’s sizes ranging from size 12 and above. These sizes are available in a wide variety of styles and are designed to fit the size and shape of a larger woman. Designer Plus Size Dresses are now readily available for different seasons and occasions, and come in different fabrics, colors, and designs.

'The Biggest Loser Couples' going at record pace

THE SHOW " The Biggest Loser: Couples"
WHEN|WHERE Tuesday night at 9 on NBC/4REASON TO WATCH Bethpage-raised Tara Costa, who could become the third contestant from Long Island to win NBC's resurgent reality show. (The others: Erik Chopin of West Islip and Bill Germanakos of Massapequa.)

WHAT IT'S ABOUT The couple who are probably of greatest interest to L.I. viewers are roomies Tara and Laura (last names on the show, as with most reality shows, are rarely if ever used or mentioned). Both are longtime friends and plus-size models who worked in New York. Costa, 23, is an executive with L'Oreal in Manhattan, but her hometown is Bethpage.

Costa is now the one to beat on NBC's highest-rated unscripted show - 10.4 million viewers to date, or 2 million over the sixth season. The show is also on pace to become the most-watched "Loser" of them all.

A winner is determined by who loses the most weight, expressed as a percentage, over the course of the season. Costa began the season at 294 pounds and is now within a few pounds of losing 100, the first female to do so while on the ranch at "TBL."
CATCHING UP Costa is de facto leader of the Black team (contestants are split into two teams, like "Survivor"), which has completely dominated and demoralized the Blue. How has it managed this feat? In part, Costa won immunity from competition a couple of weeks ago, and then earned rights to strategically match Black team members opposite Blue team members. The Blacks even got a night of luxury, which involved a generous consumption of tequila, and still beat the Blues.
BOTTOM LINE What's best about "The Biggest Loser" - couples or solo - is that it often feels more real than most reality shows. Unlike those others - " The Bachelor," excepted, which is about "true love" - the stakes here seem more personal. This is about health, self-esteem, quality of life and even life expectancy. Sure, someone's going to win a quarter-million, but what's the use of money if future health is squandered? And this season feels most urgent of all. Why? Maybe all the tears at elimination - and who out there didn't tear up just a bit when Mandi was sent home two weeks ago? Meanwhile, there's Costa: She's an everywoman who's morphed into a superwoman. Many viewers are rooting for her. Easy to see why.
GRADE A- ("The Biggest Loser" earns a demerit for those grating in-show product placement plugs.)

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Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Updates

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week - Day 1

Day 1 of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week kick started with a desi twist.The queen bee of the designing world Ritu Kumar showcased a fine blend of Indian fashion and western sensibilities. Anarkali kurtas were teamed with leggings and gota work dominated colourful tunics, kurtis and jackets. Introduction of black with gold embroidery was quite a surprise. The colour palette started with burnt yellow and orange and goes into an interesting mix of purple, deep maroon and black. The signature intricate embroidery looked chic.

It was interesting to see a mix of short knitted kaftans and elegantly flared jersey skirts teamed with embroidered silks and brocades. Canary yellow coordinated with rust and grey created a fun combination with a refreshing feel. Particularly interesting was the use of tussore wool with multiple colour panelling for a trendy look. Tartan checks were well played with colourful solids bringing in nostalgia with refreshing modernity. The overall silhouettes were a mix of fit and flare in abundance, with swinging skirts and sculpted tops enhancing the body contours.

I particularly liked Rocky S's collection which made a a modern statement in black, steel and metallic silver. Short dresses with a variety of cuts had set the tone towards being chic yet bold. Off-shoulder and the backless-look designs added a lot of oomph. The designer is known to design for some big Bollywood names like John Abraham, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan.

Designer Nitin Bal Chauhan brought in a collections a black, white, grey collection of structured dresses, slim trousers and fitted trousers shirts. To tone down the masculine edge to these structured garments, he used pleat detailing even in his trousers!

The show stopper ofcourse, was the gorgeous Mughda who sizzled the ramp in a Satya Paul creation.

Mughda Godse walked the ramp for designer Satya Paul




The 13th edition of the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW), India’s biggest fashion trade event, kick started at the luxurious Intercontinental Eros, Nehru Place, New Delhi on 18 March, 2009. Since over a decade, WLIFW along with the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) has acted as a medium for the indian fashion designers to showcase their potential and earn for themselves a name that people would reckon with. The new season will bring with it newcolor shades, designs, creations, clothing construction . Once again, the best of Indian Fashion Industry has come together on a common platform.

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week - Day 2

Day 2 of the Wills showcase was a brilliant presentation of Art and Fashion complete in style.

Prashant Verma’s showcase Meat was an artistic representation of the Greek narrative of robust and mighty male aggression and its fascination with perfection. Digital prints of modern day gymnast in the colours of Olympic leotards. He further explores the military power in printed portraits of dictator, their faces interestingly replaced by screaming guerrillas, explosion of colours on large quilted over coats in linen. All these were contrasted with severe black patent collars, military insignia, black leather hard and coarse.

Urban Bohemia by Pankaj and Nidhi had flaming reds, potent blues, plush orchid plums and mesmerising purples and violets brings new resonance to 2009, a year of hope and recovery. A range of fine trapunto-quilted jackets, precision geometric embroideries of luscious florals, hexagon diskette-quilt capes and Russian vintage print tunics evoke life in all its vibrancy. Sheer leggings, accessorised with gloves and neckpieces in solid colour floral patterns enhanced the theme title “Life in Technicolour”.

Nomad’s Land by Sonam Dubal was an authentic and aesthetic amalgamation of enriched Asian heritage with nomadic lives. The designer showcased a Nomadic/banjara look with tribal elements. The colour palette consisted of deep burgundy, purple and aubergine contrasted with black. His creations reflected the urban lifestyle and beautifully explored the bohemian to the urban nomad.

I was particularly honed into Gaurav Gupta’s dark and futuristic collection which giving due credit to the designer was a visual treat of feminine grace, elegance and beauty. Exaggeration, anthropometry and layers highlighted the soft structural engineering of chiffons and georgettes to control volumes and exaggerated shapes of sleeves, shoulder and waist. His colour palette restrained as always remained grungy deep with dark teal, cobalt blue black, grey yellow with accents of red, bright purples and hot pink.

With dreamy silks, chiffons, tulles and fluid jerseys he uses techniques of draping large flat shapes into soft organic forms. Ingenious use of zips all over the place, soft cowls at the neck, hip and sleeves were punctuated with embroideries. The signature high neck frills with exaggerated collars and organic shapes lent costume-like air to the collection. And so did the anti-fits and folds.

Body moulded stockings with organic cuts and detailing completed the look with a space age futuristic look.

Priyadarshini Rao’s eclectic, mostly Indian and sometimes western styled garments kept in line with the current times. The collection looked very close to the theme ‘Earth’, with traditional yet contemporary ensembles in deliciously earthy colours with a touch of pastels and pinks here and there.

Kavita Bhartia had beautiful gowns with seashell embellishments were the surprise element and gave a very debutante feel to the collection. Chiffon balloon tops with short skirts completed the look. And as expected of Kavita Bharita, the showstopper was a black sheer dupatta draped saree styled over floor sweeping asymmetrical skirt. Cross back black blouse was beautifully embroidered.

Day 2 of the Wills showcase was a brilliant presentation of Art and Fashion complete in style. Prashant Verma’s showcase Meat was an artistic representation of the Greek narrative of robust and mighty male aggression and its fascination with perfection. The other designers who showcased their creations were Pankaj & Nidhi, Priyadarshini Rao, Sonam Dubal, Gaurav & Ritika, Abdul Halder, Gaurav Gupta, Ashima & Leena Singh, Rohit Mittal, Rajesh Pratap Singh, Preeti S Kapoor and one of the most noted designers of India, Manish Malhotra. Ashima & Leena Singh had a surprise for the audience with the 'Slumdog Millionire' fame Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail and Rubina Ali walking the ramp for their designs. The little celebrities didn't fail to grab the attention of the audience. We take you through a glimpse of what happened on the ramp on Day 2 of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week - Day 3
The Day 3 of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week saw some of the most brilliant designs from some of the most noted designers of India taking the audience by surprises. The designs by Manish Arora were the ones much noted for its play of colours as well as the sheer novelty of presentation.

Another attraction of Day 3 was the models cat walking the pool side for the designers. The most noted designers of Day 3 were Ankur & Priyanka Modi, Manish Gupta, Zubair Kirmani, Rathore Jodhpur, Nikhita Tandon, Nikiee Mahajan, Namrata Joshipura, Hemant & Nandita and Puja Arya.

Source: India Syndicate

Judge Dismisses Lindsay Lohan's Arrest Warrant

Lindsay Lohan's next appearance won't be in jail garb.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Monday quashed an arrest warrant that was issued Friday for the 22-year-old "Mean Girls" star.

Judge Marsha N. Revel determined that the actress has been complying with the terms of her probation but needs to show her treatment program better documentation to avoid future court problems. The judge also noted that Lohan has not failed any drug or alcohol tests.

Lohan pleaded guilty in August 2007 to two misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of cocaine; no contest to two counts of driving with a blood-alcohol level above 0.08 percent and one count of reckless driving. She was sentenced to three years of probation.

The plea came after a pair of high-profile arrests in 2007.

Lohan was arrested Memorial Day weekend 2007 after her Mercedes-Benz hit a tree in Beverly Hills. She was arrested in Santa Monica a few weeks later after the mother of her former personal assistant called 911 to report that her car was being chased by an SUV driven by Lohan.

Lohan spent 84 minutes in jail and had to perform community service and undergo drug-rehabilitation treatment.


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Founder of clothing firm killed in Ferrari crash

By SERENA MARIA DANIELS, SARA FAY, CARLOS ARIAS and DOUG IRVING

The Orange County Register

updated 10:47 a.m. ET March 12, 2009

NEWPORT BEACH — A larger-than-life character who called himself “Mask” and who helped create a mixed-martial-arts empire from the back of a van died early Wednesday when the Ferrari he was driving crashed into a light pole.

Charles Lewis Jr., 45, of Huntington Beach, the co-founder of a $100 million company called TapouT, was declared dead at the scene. The impact ripped the car in half and sent his passenger, an unidentified woman, to the hospital.

Police arrested the driver of another car, a white 1977 Porsche, on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. An on-duty officer reported seeing that driver, Jeffrey David Kirby, 51, of Costa Mesa, flee the scene after his Porsche was involved in the crash.

Kirby has a history of driving violations, including a 2002 conviction for driving under the influence, court and Department of Motor Vehicle records show. He was being held in lieu of $2 million bail.

The police officer who witnessed the crash reported seeing the Porsche driving next to the Ferrari on Jamboree Road, near Eastbluff Drive, according to the Newport Beach Police Department. The two cars appeared to spin out of control, possibly after colliding, police said.

The Ferrari jumped the curb and then slammed into the light pole. The officer reported seeing the Porsche stop briefly, and then drive away, police said.

Police found a white Porsche with moderate collision damage a few blocks away, and stopped a man and woman who were walking away from it. They later identified the man as Kirby. They arrested his passenger, Lynn Marie Nabozny, 32, of Newport Beach, on suspicion of public intoxication; she was later released.

Skid marks on the road pointed the way to the crash site. The Ferrari – a 2004 Modena likely worth around $140,000 – was cut in two, its rear coming to rest more than 30 feet away from its front. The unidentified woman who was riding in it as a passenger was thrown from the car; her condition was not known late Wednesday, but police described her as stable.

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Big means beautiful at plus-size pageant

(From left): Contestants Latoya Evans, Sara Brenton and April Reed hold hands in their evening gowns during the first annual Miss Voluptuous Beauty contest. Brenton, a business owner and classically trained chef, will be back as a judge and sponsor at this year’s pageant, taking place Saturday afternoon in Woburn. (Alex Uncapher photo)

Last year, Sara Brenton donned a pastel blue ball gown with sparkles and a ruffle trim, then strutted down the walkway in her first beauty pageant. The experience was both a novelty and a revelation for the 27-year-old resident of Whitman, Mass.

“This was probably one of the most fun things I’ve ever done,” she recalled. “I’m a big girl and there aren’t a lot of pageants for me. It gave everyone the empowerment to know that we are beautiful, whether we are a size zero or a size 28, like I am.”

The pageant, the first annual Miss Voluptuous Beauty contest, brought together 16 contestants from across the country under the encouraging direction of pageant organizer and Dorchester resident Fabiola Brunache, founder of the plus-size modeling company Uniquely Plus Size. The second annual pageant takes place this Saturday afternoon in Woburn.

According to Brunache, Miss Voluptuous Beauty exemplifies the evolution of her work.

“I started the organization first about modeling, but now it’s more of a nonprofit to encourage women to love themselves as they are and be healthy about their own body,” she said.

That encouragement is important, she added, because plus-size women are often subject to scrutiny from strangers.

“A lot of people want you to be a size two or a size four,” Brunache said. “They automatically stereotype a plus-size person as lazy, unhappy or having low self-esteem.”

Brenton also emphasized the importance of challenging perceptions about plus-size women, noting that many people assume that large women don’t have a lot of energy. On the contrary, she said, she owns her own business and is a classically trained chef.

“I was a big kid and a big teenager, and I didn’t really have any role models,” she said. “For me to be able to go out now to show little girls who are 10 or 12 that I can be beautiful and I can strut my stuff on the runway — that shows them they should be confident, too.

“It’s such a great event, it’s free to come watch and everybody in the crowd cheers for everybody on stage,” added Brenton, who will return to this year’s pageant as a judge and sponsor.

The contest is divided into four portions. The women first introduce themselves clad in attire related to a selected theme. Last year’s was “Sweetest Sin,” while this year’s is “International Big Girls.” The next steps are dressing up as a career professional or demonstrating a talent, taking part in a question-and-answer interview and, finally, donning an evening gown.

Explaining why she kept the entry fee for the competition at $50, Brunache said, “I looked around and saw a lot of pageants are really expensive, and I want the point that I’m trying to [make] to get across. I wanted everyday women who don’t have that much money to still be able to participate.”

Shennary Nurse, a 25-year-old Guyana-born resident of Brooklyn, N.Y., traveled to Boston last year to take part in the contest. A naturally shy person, Nurse said that her favorite part of the eventwas conquering her stage fright by walking down the runway in fishnet stockings and a petticoat, putting some style into her “Sweetest Sin” entrance.

“A lot of times, when we’re plus-size, we’re a little self-conscious of our bodies. It’s hard to put on lingerie and be in front of a crowd,” said the mother of four with a laugh. “I was so nervous the night before, but I said to myself: ‘You just have to do this.’”

As it happened, fortune favored the bold: Nurse took top honors in the introductory portion, as well as the grand prize of being crowned the first ever Miss Voluptuous Beauty.

While Nurse’s children were in awe of the trophies she brought home, she said she was most amazed at how the contest changed her.

“It’s made me a better person,” she said. “I don’t usually doubt myself but there’s a little bit of doubt. Now, I love myself and the pageant has made me more confident. It’s in my presence and you can see it in my face.”

Brenton echoed Nurse’s observations. Before last year’s contest, Brenton said, “I had no confidence and I would walk into a room with my head down.”

But the supportive environment she found at the pageant — the enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, the warm encouragement from her fellow contestants — transformed her outlook.

“I thought because it was a pageant these people would be mean and catty and it was just the polar opposite,” she added. “After the pageant, my confidence has grown and I’m a totally different person.”

Most important, however, are the women’s hopes that the event will show audiences that beauty defies definition.

“I would love to have us get to a point where size is not an issue, where on ‘America’s Next Top Model’ there could be a girl my size on there and little girls who might not be skinny-mini can see people who look like them,” Brenton said. “It’s about including everybody.”

The second annual Miss Voluptuous Beauty Contest will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at 15 Middlesex Canal Park, Woburn. Admission is free and open to individuals ages 16 and up.

Brooklyn, N.Y., resident Shennary Nurse broke out of her shell last year and took home the inaugural Miss Voluptuous Beauty pageant. (Alex Uncapher photo)

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City barista reaches finals in plus-size model search

An Edmonton woman is proving that you don’t have to be a size zero to be beautiful.

Chantelle Thompson, 23, will board a plane bound for Toronto next week, to find out if she’s been selected as the winner in Canada’s Plus Size Model Search.

The barista was recently selected to be in the top 10 for the contest, sponsored by plus size retailers, Penningtons, Addition Elle, MXM, and LouLou Magazine.

She bashfully admitted that before entering, she’d never considered modelling before.

“I never really thought it was a possibility for me,” she said. “This is something that hasn’t been put in the spotlight before by society.”

Thompson surpassed thousands for the spot. The five-foot-nine, size-18 blond said that though she spent much of her life ashamed of her body shape, she’s never felt more alive.

“I’m not perfect. I’m not a size zero, or even a two, or a four. I’m a bigger person, and I’m happy with myself,” she said. “One day I decided that I feel great and embrace myself, and show people that they can be confident as well.”

If chosen, Thompson will receive a one-year modelling contract.

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Full & Fabulous Plus-Size Fashion Show in Atlanta

Miss Sophia from Atlanta radio station WVEE V103.3 FM, will host the Full & Fabulous Spring Fashion Show on March 14, 2009 at Greenbriar Malls Vogue Collections Event Facility in Atlanta. Doors open at 7pm. Curvaceous plus models will grace the stage representing fuller figured women around the world. This event will feature collections from Untide and Agape Goddess of the Diva Day Design Team as well as various department stores catering to plus size women. You can expect to see Ms. Oklahoma Plus America. The event is being sponsored by Diva Day International, LLC, Ashley Stewart, Avenue, V103.3 FM, Christine & Carol, Macy’s, Media, Greenbriar Mall, Purple Door Salon and Spa. The night will end with an After Party at the Vogue Collections Event Facility.

Global information, Inc reports plus size clothing retail market for adults and children totaled $76 billion in 2006. The report also forecast sales will continue to rise and reach the $100 billion mark by 2012.

About Diva Day International, LLC

Ms. Nickee Mack is the founder of Diva Day International a Modeling and Artist Development Agency. This One Stop Shop Fashion House is breaking ground in the South and represents women of all sizes from 0-24. The agencies mission is to bring together all entities involved in the beauty and fashion industry for networking opportunities, while leveling the playing field for the ever changing world of beauty. Ms. Nickee is also the Casting Director and Booking Agent for Vogue Collections Event Facility at Greenbriar Mall.

Diva Day International offers runway training, image consulting, go-see training, media training, professional photo shoots, castings and more. Events include, Bronner Brothers Hair Show 2009, Lifetime Television, Red Carpet Curves, Project Curves, Queen City Music Conference, DSTV Awards, and Atlanta International Fashion Week 2008.

Diva Day International community events include Diversity of Talent Breast Cancer, Tupac Shakur Charity Benefit, Elements Hip Hop Youth Center and E.T.H.E.R. Campaign.

Large-size, stylish clothing is hard to find, but it's out there

No doubt about it -- shopping can be frustrating. But for fuller-figured women looking to keep up with current trends, it can feel like an archaeological excavation.

Megan Anton, manager of L.A. designer resale store Decadestwo, wears a size 12 or 14, and she has the kind of personal style other women unconsciously emulate. But to maintain it, she's learned to circumvent fashion's size restrictions.

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Where to shop for stylish plus-size clothes

Kiyonna, a rare plus-size brand that interprets up-to-the-minute contemporary looks for larger shapes — such as this posey patio dress from its new Spring Awakening line — is available online, but also has its own Anaheim store. On top of the company's headquarters, the aptly named Upstairs Boutique carries Kiyonna (including its new lingerie line) in sizes 10 to 32, Spanx body shapers and Svoboda denim.

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Hurry Up!! Amazing discounts on Plus Size Women's Clothes and dresses!