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Oscars 2020: From Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn to Angelina Jolie - The best in fashion, ranked - fashion and trends

The red carpet is all about being green and dressing responsibly now with Hollywood taking their efforts to reduce carbon footprints a notch higher this awards season. For the recently concluded 2020 BAFTAs, guests were invited to consider wearing a sustainable design or repeat an outfit they’d already worn before at the award ceremony. The Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice Awards galas all served plant-based menus, instead of steak dinners that are typical of celebrity-packed events. The Oscars too will be serving a 70 per cent plant-based menu this time. While sustainability is a widespread discussion in fashion, questions have been raised towards the ‘greenism’ phenomena in the fashion industry. Speaking of the expected fashion tonight at the Oscars, a stylist predicts that this year will be a return to extravagance in terms of colour, shapes, sequins on the red carpet. Before the 1990s, several celebrities chose their red carpet dresses. Oscars fashion history is often remembered for the extraordinary and eccentric outfit choices that included torn denim, sequinned jumpsuits and even Indian headdresses on some actors. Also read: Oscar’s 2020: The much-coveted 24-karat gold-plated knight is worth only Rs 72 The New York Times asked in 2004, “Does the glamour of the Golden Globes steal the scene from Oscar?”, observing that the potential winners and nominees offered designers more opportunity to have their work featured on the red carpet. One of the most-talked-about red carpet gowns was the green Versace gown J.Lo wore to the Grammy Awards in 2000 (and was seen in again a short while ago, not to mention the debate about how Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Ralph and Russo gown at the 2020 Grammys was inspired from Jennifer Lopez’s look). Interestingly the red carpet has turned green on several notable occasions when stars shone in vintage or custom-made gowns that have a history of their own and a narrative attached to them. Here’s our choice of the best from the red carpet, ranked according to the year of appearance. Marilyn Monroe, 1951: was never awarded or nominated for an Academy Award, but she managed to be a head-turner on the red carpet in 1951 when she was asked to present an award. The actress chose a black tulle dress with a deep neckline for the do. Audrey Hepburn, 1954: This exquisite gown made by Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn is all about style and elegance. The dress even has its own Wikipedia page! An icon on and off the screen, Audrey Hepburn often worked with the house of Givenchy for her red carpet appearances and her films. Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy that she’s seen wearing in the opening scene of the 1961 romantic comedy film Breakfast at Tiffany’s is cited as one of the most iconic items of clothing in the history of twentieth-century fashion and probably the most famous little black dress (LBD) of all time.   Elizabeth Taylor, 1961: The actress opted for a Dior dress that enhanced her slim waist for the 1961 Oscars when she won the Best Actress award for her role in A Venus in Mink. Also read| Oscar’s 2020: Lesser known interesting facts about the Academy Awards 2020 Barbra Streisand, 1969: Barbra Streisand took a slight detour for owning fashion on the Oscar red carpet in 1969. It was a trouser suit by Arnold Scaasi instead of a traditional gown that has been highly debated as both the best and worst outfit since. What’s more, the outfit turned out to be completely transparent which the actress later confessed that she had no idea the lights on stage would shine through. Farrah Fawcett, 1978: The actress’ gilded Stephen Burrows gown has spawned a million replicas for the disco set after it was first seen on her at the coveted awards ceremony. The same year, Goldie Hawn too exuded effortless glamour girl in a metallic wrap dress.   Elizabeth Hurley, 1995: The model, actress and the quintessential Versace girl must have rained on everyone’s fashion parade that evening back in 1995 in a sparkling curve-hugging dress. Sharon Stone, 1998: The actor’s identified by her offbeat roles but she even chose to wear something entirely different at the 1998 Oscars. She walked down the Oscars red carpet in a lavender satin Vera Wang skirt with a men’s button-down shirt. Halle Berry, 2002: She became the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress but her partially sheer floral gown by Elie Saab is one we love to look back on. Kate Hudson, 2003: Her champagne Atelier Versace gown is no less than the stuff Hollywood royalty is made of. Michelle Williams, 2006: In a saffron Vera Wang dress, Michelle Williams created one of the most memorable fashion moments. The actress had attended the ceremony with her then-boyfriend, the late Heath Ledger, who was nominated for his role in Brokeback Mountain. Reese Witherspoon, 2006: The actress chose the vintage route which proved to be a sartorial success on the red carpet. It was a vintage (1955) Christian Dior gown for the evening. Nicole Kidman, 2007: The actress’s red Balenciaga gown was the style equivalent of businesswoman meets party girl with its bow draping from her neck into a train behind her. Marion Cotillard, 2008: French actress Marion Cotillard stood out in her Jean Paul Gaultier dress that looked as though it was made of fish scales. Penélope Cruz, 2009: The actress went vintage in a 1950 Pierre Balmain couture for her Oscars 2009 look. Anne Hathaway, 2011: The actor’s hosting gig with James Franco must not have gone down well in Oscars history but her Valentino dress from the fall 2002 couture collection surely became a talking point. Meryl Streep, 2012: The powerhouse talent had always stayed safe in the fashion department until 2012 when she wore a bold Lanvin number for the ceremony. She was awarded Best Actress for playing Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady that year. Michelle Williams, 2012: The cutesy peplum made a comeback on Michelle Williams’ red tulle Louis Vuitton gown. Angelina Jolie, 2012: If there’s the one dress we will always remember from the Oscars red carpet, it will be this one Angelina Jolie wore that also spawned a million memes. Angeline Jolie’s Atelier Versace black gown with a thigh-high slit came to be called “Angie leg” since this appearance. Gwyneth Paltrow, 2012: Another trend that started the same night was Gwyneth Paltrow’s caped trend for Tom Ford. The dress gave way to popular looks since from cocktail dresses to outerwear.   Jennifer Aniston, 2013: Jennifer Aniston presented an award in this crimson Valentino Haute Couture gown. Jennifer Lawrence, 2013: J Law signed up as the face of Dior in 2012 and the French brand has dressed this gifted actor for all important moments since, including this classy gown she wore for her Oscar 2013 win. Remember her graceful fall as she went up on stage to accept the award? Loved the confidence with which she owned this moment!   Lupita Nyong’o, 2015: A style icon in her own right, Lupita Nyong’o wore a baby-blue Prada dress, followed by an intricate pearl-covered Calvin Klein Collection gown. Lady Gaga, 2016: It’s difficult to not appreciate a sea of beautiful gowns on the Oscars red carpet but Lady Gaga has always done it differently. This Brandon Maxwell jumpsuit looked like an haute couture gown that Lady Gaga carried with much aplomb. In 2019 however, Lady Gaga channelled Audrey Hepburn in a custom, sculptural black gown by Alexander McQueen that she paired with a 128-carat Tiffany diamond necklace elbow-length black leather gloves. Her live performance with Bradley Cooper too became one of the talking points that year. The Oscars are not only about awarding great roles, hearing inspiring speeches or enjoying the musical presentations. Fashion, style and glamour is an important part of Hollywood’s most important evening. The fascination with Oscar outfits is eventually what stays with us once the awards wrap up. Dressing for the Academy Awards is serious business because the choice of an Oscar-worthy dress is almost as imperative as an Oscar-worthy role. 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LFW 2020: Kendall Jenner headlines London Fashion Week’s Burberry show - fashion and trends

Kendall Jenner and fellow super models unveiled Burberry’s new season designs at London Fashion Week on Monday, a collection that spanned everything from classic and ladylike to sexy, preppy and street-smart.That approach — showcasing designs tailored to diverse tastes — may now be particularly important to the luxury heritage fashion brand, which has recently reported a significant dent in its business in China, a key market, due to the virus outbreak.The signature Burberry check was ubiquitous. A three-piece women’s suit consisted of a cropped waistcoat, patchwork blazer, skin tight trousers and ankle boots, all in variations of the check. Elsewhere, there were nods to punk, such as deconstructed shirts in pink, red and lilac.Design chief Riccardo Tisci also presented some sexier, sassy looks, from high-shine black vinyl to slinky dresses that hugged the body and featured strategic cut-outs. Jenner strutted in a checked bustier, layered under a semi-sheer white skirt and white boots.The beige trench coat — an item synonymous with the brand since founder Thomas Burberry first designed it in weather-proof gabardine fabric more than a century ago — featured, of course. Some came softly draped in a timeless feminine style; others were much more flamboyant, featuring furry arms and collars. One such head-turning outfit saw a shimmering bright lime catsuit paired with a matching coat with fluffy fur trim.The catwalk show, which drew celebrities including Cate Blanchett to its front row, is one of the glitziest highlights of London Fashion Week.Burberry will be hoping it goes some ways to boost business. The brand, which gets some 40% of its revenue from Chinese consumers shopping globally, has had to shut 24 of 64 stores in China as a result of the virus outbreak.(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Streetwear goes desi with ‘smog tees’, space jackets, kurta-inspired designs - fashion and trends

Confused about what streetwear is? Think Ranveer Singh promoting Gully Boy: eye-catching, oversized ensembles with splashes of bright colours or quirky design elements.With its roots in the skater and surfer subcultures of the 1970s, and later hip hop by the 1990s, streetwear was meant to be comfortable but bold, a reflection of your personality and your politics.Typically, such apparel — oversized hoodies, jackets, tees and drop-crotch pants — were made popular by global brands like Supreme, Vetements or Stussy. Unlike the product lines churned out by mainstream brands like Levi’s, Lee Cooper or Diesel, the streetwear was limited-edition, grunge chic.Now, there are Indian streetwear brands, and the clothes they’re producing, while adhering to the loose silhouettes, gender-fluidity and hip hop aesthetic, are also distinctly desi.Harkrishan Singh’s label, Delhiwear, has a Vardi collection inspired by the kurta; and a Dukaan collection that pays homage to the outfits worn by shopkeepers.

A spacesuit-inspired bomber jacket by the brand Biskit is a tribute to India’s space programme“We’ve taken garments found on Indian streets and made them functional and comfortable by adding pockets or experimenting with the silhouette,” he says. “Each collection tells a unique story and is meant to be long-lasting. That’s why we don’t churn out collections every six months like fast-fashion brands.”Aasshna Aroraa and Eashan Parekh’s label, Strey, gives voice to the spirit of streetwear with garments that are loose, oversized, comfortable, but also political. The ‘Save the planet’ collection, for instance, features graphic prints, cautionary slogans, and garments such as the sweatshirt with a turtleneck that stretches into a face mask bearing the words, ‘Use in case of smog’.

A detachable side bag from the Delhiwear label’s Dukaan collection, inspired by the fanny packs carried by Indian businessmen in crowded markets Streetwear has its roots in the skater and surfer subcultures of the 1970s and ’80s. These were loose-fitting clothes meant to be comfortable, functional and free-spirited.The twist came from their DIY aesthetic: each garment was an experiments in design, driven in large part by the cheap availability of screen printing.It didn’t cost much to pick a slogan, a pattern and even a friend’s graffiti or art work and have it emblazoned on the loose-fit jackets and hoodies.By the 1990s, streetwear was being championed by a growing breed of increasingly political hip hop stars. At this point, streetwear met bling, and you had people pairing baggy tees and drop-crotch jeans with thick, heavy chains, rings and belts covered in faux gold and rhinestones.About a decade later, the limited-edition nature of global streetwear collections started to turn the items into collectibles, and consequently, made them extremely expensive.“Streetwear grew out of the streets rather than emerging from a designer or brand, so it is grounded in reality,” says Allen Claudius, a fashion consultant and founding editor of the online Indian fashion magazine Bowties and Bones. “It draws inspiration from real-life issues and is generally quite political.”BISKIT, founded by siblings Harsha and Shruti Biswajit, also draws inspiration from current events. A collection called Spaced Out pays homage to India’s steps forward into space, with streetwear covered in sci-fi motifs, astral prints and a jumpsuit made to look like a spacesuit.Jay Ajay Jajal’s Jaywalking offers loud unisex silhouettes — from neon-bright, oversized jackets to voluminous hoodies and baggy track pants in neoprene, velvet corduroy and reflective synthetics. Graphic artwork, fabric patches in bright colours and multiple colourful pockets heighten the effect.“In India, people are getting bolder with what they wear; they’re embracing experimentation,” says Parekh of Strey. “A while ago, clothes didn’t really have meaning for the average urban Indian. Today, people are looking to express themselves through their clothes. When it comes to streetwear, each item of clothing should have a story and be worn to expresses something you feel strongly about.”Mumbai-based entrepreneur, Siddharth Deravariya, 23, bought the smog mask T-shirt for that very reason. “I care about the environment, but I’m not the kind of person who goes to rallies. So the garment allowed me to wear my opinion in a way that would allow people to take note,” he says.While some users are taking to streetwear because they connect with its philosophy, many are doing so just because it’s trending. This wave of hype is threatening to push the fashion genre away from its origins in the margins and into the mainstream, some designers fear.“Streetwear was supposed to be affordable, inclusive and durable, because it was made for skaters and surfers. But brands today are labelling themselves ‘exclusive’ and bumping up the prices of their creations,” says Allen Claudius, a fashion consultant and founding editor of the online Indian fashion magazine, Bowties and Bones.Harkrishan Singh has a more optimistic take on streetwear going mainstream. “Bollywood celebs are sporting it, and couturiers are referencing streetwear in their collections. So it is becoming commercialised. But you need some amount of commercialism for any industry to thrive,” he says. “Also, I think people are educating themselves about the trend and making more meaningful purchases. And that is the essence of streetwear.” Read the full article

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LFW 2020: US star Lena Dunham’s catwalk debut kickstarts London Fashion Week - fashion and trends

British style icon Vivienne Westwood unveiled her latest offerings and American actress Lena Dunham made a catwalk debut as London Fashion Week got underway Friday under the shadow of the novel coronavirus epidemic.The five-day showcase in the British capital will feature more than 60 shows, including Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger, but with participation dented by the deadly outbreak spreading around the world.The COVID-19 epidemic -- as the World Health Organization has formally named it -- has so far claimed around 1,400 lives and infected nearly 64,000 people.The vast majority have been in China, the source of the outbreak, but as it has spread there have also been nine cases identified in Britain.The British Fashion Council (BFC), which organises the event, said it expected attendance from Chinese media and buyers “to be significantly reduced” due to the travel restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak. Chief Executive Caroline Rush announced a partnership with the Business of Fashion China media platform “to ensure that our two audiences remain incredibly connected”.But BFC chairwoman Stephanie Phair tried to downplay the obvious concerns encroaching on one of the global fashion industry’s key gatherings. “It is absolutely a topic but the fashion industry has always faced challenges and is a resilient industry,” she told AFP.- Sustainability focus -US acting star and “Girls” creator Dunham made her surprise runway debut for London-based brand 16Arlington, sporting wet hair, a gold leaf dress and a leather jacket.“Lena is amazing,” Marco Capaldo, its co-founder along with Kikka Cavenati, told AFP. “Apart from being a dear friend, she stands for such positivity and she is a real force for change and we love that.”Meanwhile Westwood presented her autumn/winter 2020/21 collection, inspired by British and Italian traditions, at the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park with an overtly political message of support for jailed Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.“I’m taking the opportunity of London Fashion Week to defend human rights and free speech,” she said in a statement calling for protests when the whistleblower’s trial over extradition to the United States begins later this month in Britain.Some of the models at her show wore black and white masks to represent a decapitated man’s face while a pillory was on display.London’s turn in the fashion spotlight opened Friday with the debut show by Yuhan Wang, a London-based designer originally from Weihai in northeast China.She showed long and light floral dresses, dominated by lace with a bohemian, melancholic feel.Also showing in London this week are queen of punk rock culture Pam Hogg, along with big British names such as Chalayan, JW Anderson and Victoria Beckham.Meanwhile Vienna-based designer Petar Petrov will be among the newcomers showcasing at Fashion East, London’s pioneering non-profit initiative championing emerging talent.After largely deserting New York Fashion Week in recent years, Tommy Hilfiger returns to London to unveil his fourth “TommyxLewis” collection, which has a strong focus on sustainability.- ‘Creative disruptions’ -With climate change concerns paramount, an increasing number of designers are choosing to use renewable materials and support local crafts.That trend is set to feature in the collections of Mulberry, Phoebe English, and Johnstons of Elgin -- all with a strong production presence in England.Under pressure from environmental activists, London organisers are trying to improve the image of the event and promote good practices.They include a “switch to blue” campaign to bring the industry together “to lead in ambitious environmental action”, as well as a collaboration with designer Richard Malone for a reusable canvas bag.On Tuesday, young designer Rosh Mahtani, founder of the jewellery brand Alighieri, will receive the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design, for her “ethical approach and commitment to local manufacturing”.However, activist group Extinction Rebellion has called for next season’s event in September to be scrapped, denouncing the fashion industry’s “exploitation of (the) planet, people and animals”.It has previously protested at London Fashion Week and plans further “creative disruptions” on Saturday.Meanwhile the perceived threat of COVID-19 looms large in the background.Organisers said they would carry out “deep cleans” every evening at the event’s central London hub, while anti-bacterial hand sanitisers will be made available throughout the venue.But concerns about the outbreak go well beyond the immediate threat to those attending. British fashion house Burberry warned last week of a “material negative effect on luxury demand”, as Chinese consumers stayed at home.(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Valentine’s Day special: Last minute style tips to stand out - fashion and trends

You usually dress to impress your partner on Valentine’s Day, but what if the two of you together want to grab eyeballs and be the most stylish couple in town? All you need to do is to match outfits with your beau or make a style statement by picking something wow-worthy. Here are some quick outfit inspiration for you to follow to glam up this day. Take note. 1. Gingham gang While most of the couples will colour coordinate to celebrate the day of love, take the coordination game a step further and go for matching prints, like this couple in the photo, who are sporting gingham prints. While the boy is wearing the checkered look head-to-toe, the girl has layered her flirty, flowy dress with a gingham print jacket.2. Sturdy chic  This zippered bomber in red renders a sturdy, chic vibe, and your girlfriend can compliment your style with a red net tulle skirt teamed with a cropped bomber featuring dramatic puff sleeves.3. High octane glamour  Add elegance to your look with this full-sleeved red gown that accentuates your curves perfectly. Let the draped gown with appliqué work on the sleeves take centrestage. Keep your accessories and makeup minimal. Your beau can dress up in a wine-coloured corduroy suit and ditch his shirt to raise the hotness quotient. A gold choker can be a quirky pick for guys who believe in experimenting when it comes to fashion.4. Flower power  If you’re a fan of pleats, this look is certainly going to get all your admiration. This pleated cape top has been styled with a pair of black palazzos and a pair of statement rings to finish off the look. Your man can complement your look in a bomber with floral appliqué work, a sheer red shirt, and a pair of trousers that matches with the bomber.5. Mix and match

As you gear up for your date, let your beau opt for tonal dressing, such as dressing up in red, from head-to-toe. A striped red suit with a striped red shirt is ideal for a V-Day date. You can be a rebel by just adding a hint of red to your look, like the model in the picture, who is wearing a double toned half-sleeved jacket with a cropped top and a pair of white palazzos.Credits:Photos: Manoj VermaLocation courtesy: Karma Lakelands, GurugramText, creative direction and styling: Akshay KaushalWardrobe: Pero, Gaurav Gupta, Sahil Kochhar, Payal Khandwala, Nikita Mhaisalkar, Good Earth India, Karrtik D, Tisa Studio and Rishi Vibhuti Accessories: Tribe by Amrapali and Gems in Jewels by Manmeet Singh Models: Vaibhav Anand, Anand Dixit, Prasanjeet Singh, Majid Khan, Palak Singhal, Dewanshi Verma, Vanee Singh and Mir Tawseef Hair and makeup: Naina AroraModel coordination: TSS Talents India, Purple Thoughts and Relume Dreams Read the full article

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Fashion meets chocolate on Belgian catwalk for Salon du Chocolat - fashion and trends

Models clad in chocolate gowns hit the runway in Brussels on Thursday night for a show bringing together fashion designers and chocolatiers. The 14 mouth-watering creations at the annual Salon du Chocolat fair included a jumpsuit of dabs of colour and chocolate petals emerging from the fabric.“It’s a mix of haute couture and Belgian chocolate,” said the costume’s creator Sixtine Anne de Molina, adding she spent five months working on the design, which includes a thousand pieces of chocolate.

Model wear designs partially made of chocolate in a fashion show during an annual chocolate festival in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) ( AP ) “Sometimes it’s hard to tell which what part of the dress is actually chocolate and what part is painted.”Another chocolate-festooned dress on display was inspired by carnival masks while a third one was a brown, beige and red striped long gown resembling knitwear.The fashion show opens three days of a chocolate fair with workshops, tastings and discussions, which organiser Gerard Palacios estimates will get some 25,000 viewers and participants. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Wendell Rodricks: From green rooms to grassroots activism - fashion and trends

Goa’s style doyen Wendell Rodricks, who breathed his last on Wednesday, was known to sashay through the green rooms of top-billed fashion shows in Indian metros and global fashion capitals, as easily as he dug into grassroots activism in his native state.Raised in Mumbai, Rodricks who moved to Goa several decades ago and anchored his signature fashion chores from his grand mansion in the idyllic riverside village of Colvale, lent his unique touch to several projects related to the state, be it creating a special uniform for the Goa Police or lending his creative touch to civic activism movements.“He designed our first Goa Bachao Abhiyaan band ‘Save Goa’, which was distributed at the first press briefing on the Regional Plan on December 3, 2006,” says convenor of the Abhiyaan, Sabina Martins. The Abhiyaan was a people’s movement against a proposed move by a Congress-led coalition government to convert large swaths of pristine forest and agricultural land into settlement zones.In the 1990s, Rodricks was also roped in by then Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane to design a new ‘people-friendly’ uniform for the Goa Police to replace the dour khaki. Rane had just returned from a junket to Singapore and had returned impressed by the natty attire of the police in the Southeast Asian country.Rodricks responded with a white (shirt) and blue (trousers) uniform, complete with depiction of a badge of coconut palms on the shoulders. While the uniform was a refreshing change, a subsequent regime headed by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar reverted the police uniforms to khaki after cops complained that white uniforms were tough for upkeep, especially in the sultry and dusty weather conditions in Goa. Rodricks’ legacy continues to an extent, with the Goa Police traffic department personnel continuing with the uniform which he had designed.Rodricks was also requested to design a uniform for the Enforcement Directorate in in 2014, soon after he was conferred the Padma Shri, but the proposal did not catch on.A few months before he died, Rodricks led an agitation to save six, nearly two century old mango trees in his village of Colvale, which were on the chopping block to make way for an expanded highway connecting Goa to Mumbai.While Rodricks along with a few locals rushed to the site and prevented the chopping of trees in March 2019, the trees were eventually hacked in December last year, when the designer was sailing on an international cruise liner.(This story has been published from a wire agency feed with a few modifications to the text.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Porn, sex, empowerment: Pornhub stars walk the runway at Namilia’s fashion show - fashion and trends

Fashion label Namilia deconstructed Asian stereotypes in the porn industry, empowering the demure, submissive woman with bold dominatrix looks worn exclusively by Asian models at Sunday’s show, including several Pornhub actors. The Herotica collection shown during New York Fashion Week deconstructed the traditional, buttoned-up Chinese dress. The gown kept the same silhouette but was done in dominatrix leather with a hand-embroidered electric blue dragon snaking across the front.Another look featured the same traditional dress on one side of the model, but the other side was stripped down to black leather dominatrix garb.A short, colourful look folded elaborately around the collar into a Chinese takeout box, complete with long, dripping. crystal ramen noodles and pieces of shrimp with words about male genitalia.Namilia’s message is clear. Women like sex as much as men but are often shamed for it. Porn is typically seen as a man’s thing, “but women are also interested in porn and sex, but we were just excluded in the past,” said one of the designers, Emilia Pfohl.The brand reached out to porn stars to help them reframe that narrative.“I don’t think motherhood and sexuality are mutually exclusive at all,” said Pornhub brand ambassador Asa Akira, a 35-year-old college graduate whose been in the business for a dozen years and gave birth to a son last year.She walked the show wearing a sexy, black kimono-style bodysuit. When she unfurled her arms, fabric hung dramatically to the floor with a reference to wrecking male genitalia.Nothing is off limits for the Berlin-based brand, composed of Pfohl and Nan Li, who met in design school. Their first collection, whose title can’t be repeated, featured vagina- empowering references to pop idols including Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Miley Cyrus.Paris Hilton opened their show in 2018, and last year’s show featured holograms of a crying Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Bieber prints photo-edited onto Jesus’ body.Celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Rihanna, Cardi B and Ellie Goulding have all worn the brand.On Sunday, several looks turned models into Transformers, with oversize, clawlike arms inscribed with sexually empowering words. A sculptural neon-green and black look included a riff on the Louis Vuitton pattern, but with dollar signs and male genitalia and large, insect-style wings coming out the back. The designers said it was their take on the Victoria’s Secret angel wings, in a way that less objectified women.The schoolgirl uniform was also turned on its head, with a pink and white monogram on a pleated leather skirt.“When is something part of fashion, what’s high culture, what’s low culture, what’s profane, what’s not? And we wanted to take porn into a new context to kind of normalize sex work, prostitution, pornography and put it in a fashion show context, so there’s not as much shame and taboo,” Li said during a backstage interview.Their designs are heavily inspired by pop culture, “looking from the outside at American culture” to create “a revolutionary new feminist youth culture,” said Li, who freelanced for Kanye West’s brand Yeezy in the past.Several streetwear looks included edgy motorcycle race suits in feminine pinks, and sweatshirts with the Pornhub and Herotica label. The brands were also printed on a stylish black velour tracksuit.“My scariest thing before I became a porn star was that people judge me and also fear of what my mom would think,” said Marica Hase, a 38-year-old from Japan who also walked in the show. “I love porn. I’m a little bit of a naughty girl.”(This story has been published from a wire agency feed with a few modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Oscar’s 2020: Billy Porter wows Oscars red carpet with cascade of gold feathers, pink dominates - fashion and trends

Pose star Billy Porter had promised a surprise for Sunday’s Oscars red carpet - and he delivered with a gold-filled grand entrance. Porter, who has dominated red carpets in the past year with headline-grabbing, gender-fluid outfits, kicked off the 92nd Academy Awards celebrations in a Giles Deacon custom couture outfit, rocking a gold-feathered top and a voluminous printed gown paired with custom Jimmy Choo shoes - also golden. “Welcome to the #academyawards2020. Let the fashion games begin!,” Porter wrote in a Twitter post in which he shared a photo and details about his outfit.Rain threatened to dampen - if not the mood, perhaps some of the elaborate hairdos and dresses of the many Hollywood stars walking the red carpet on Sunday afternoon.Actress Regina King, one of the night’s presenters and the winner of last year’s best supporting actress award for her role in the film adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel “If Beale Street Could Talk,” walked the red carpet in a single-strap light pink Versace gown with a diamond-laced top.“I think it works with the weather because it’s warm,” King said, jokingly referring to the chilly weather outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.Asked by TV personality Ryan Seacrest about last year’s win, she responded, “It’s still surreal in a lot of ways for the piece that it was that I won for -- that James Baldwin has so much to do with American culture, American literature. I still can’t believe that this is the anniversary of that moment.”Best supporting actress nominee and Hollywood royalty Laura Dern also chose pink for this year’s awards ceremony. She graced the red carpet in a pale pink gown featuring a top encrusted with draped black crystals.Julia Butters, the 10-year-old actress who starred in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” alongside Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, chose a pink dress with puffy sleeves and reportedly stashed a turkey sandwich in her designer purse.“Julia Butters brought a turkey sandwich in her purse because ‘I don’t like some of the food here,’“ Los Angeles Times reporter Amy Kaufman wrote in a Twitter post that showed a photo of a smirking Butters and her sandwich.But it was not just about fashion.Director Spike Lee paid homage to late Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant on the Oscars red carpet with a purple and gold jacket with the number 24 embroidered on the lapels - the number of Bryant’s jersey.“Tribute, honor, homage - we all miss him,” an emotional Lee said during a brief interview on the red carpet. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed with a few modifications to the text.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Oscars 2020 fashion: Natalie Portman dons cape with names of Oscar-snubbed female directors - fashion and trends

Natalie Portman has made a real fashion statement at the 92nd Oscars’ red carpet as she chose to wear a cape over her gown embroidered with the names of women who directed movies last year, and were snubbed for this year’s ceremony. Natalie’s gown and cape are from the house of Dior. The names of the directors on the gown include -- Lorene Scafaria (“Hustlers”), Lulu Wang (“The Farewell”), Greta Gerwig (“Little Women”), Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), Melina Matsoukas (“Queen & Slim”) Alma Har’el (“Honey Boy”), Celine Sciamma (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”) and Mati Diop (“Atlantics”), Variety reported. “I wanted to recognise the women who were not recognised for their incredible work this year in a subtle way,” she explained. For the second straight year, female directors did not make it to the directing category at the Academy Awards. So when the nominees were announced last month, many people criticised it. This is not the first time that Portman has made such a statement at an award ceremony. ALSO SEE: Oscars 2020 red carpet fashion, in pictures In 2018, while presenting the best director award, the actor made a comment, saying “here are the all the male nominees” before announcing the names. When the nomination list was announced for the 92nd Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had to face backlash for not nominating any female directors this year. However, this is not the first time that a female director has been snubbed as only five women have been nominated in the history of Oscars for the Best Director category.

Benjamin Millepied, left, and Natalie Portman arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) ( Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP ) Only, one woman -- Kathryn Bigelow for the Hurt Locker -- has managed to win the prize at the ceremony. Bong Joon Ho (‘Parasite’), Sam Mendes (‘1917), Todd Phillips (‘Joker’), Martin Scorsese (‘The Irishman’), Quentin Tarantino (‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’) have been nominated in the Best Director category. Joaquin Phoenix’s ‘Joker’ leads the nomination list with 11 spots, while Netflix’s drama ‘The Irishman’ and Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ have received ten nominations each. Sam Mendes’s war drama ‘1917’ has ten nominations while Noah Baumbach’s divorce saga ‘Marriage Story’ has seven nominations. South Korean film ‘Parasite’ has gained six nominations--Best Picture, Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Film Editing. The Hollywood’s biggest awards are being held without a host for the second year in a row at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. -- with inputs from ANI and IANS Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Oscar’s 2020: Lesser known interesting facts about the Academy Awards 2020 - fashion and trends

Movie buffs around the world are gearing up for one of the highest honours in the film industry, the 92nd Academy Awards, better known as the Oscar awards. This year, the awards will be held on February 9, 2020. The ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers will dress their best as they make their way to the most looked-forward to event of the year. Here are a few interesting facts and trivia about the honour: Double Nominations Till 2020, there have been 12 actors to receive two acting nominations in the same year, the latest one being Scarlett Johansson. She has been nominated for best actress (Marriage Story) and best-supporting actress (Jojo Rabbit). The other 11 people include Sigourney Weaver (1989), Al Pacino (1993) Emma Thompson (1994), Jamie Foxx (2005) and Cate Blanchett (2008). Interestingly, none of them has ever won both the awards. She got EGOT? 33-year-old Cynthia Erivo is nominated for both best actress and best original song this year. If she wins the Oscars, she will end up being the youngest EGOT achiever in history. EGOT is a term given to those who have won all four awards the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. And an Oscar is all she needs since she has the other three in her kitty already. She will take over from Robert Lopez, who achieved EGOT status at the age of 39. Hostless Oscar’s Till 2018, Oscar Awards always had a host. However, it changed last year after the host Kevin Hart stepped down from his role as the master of the ceremony due to resurfacing of decade-old homophobic tweets. This year too, the ceremony will take place without a main host. But there will be plenty of special performances according to reports, including one by singer Billie Eilish. Red Carpet Oscars’ red carpet is definitely one of the most popular ones out there. It takes 18 workers, 900 hours to install the red carpet, which comes at the whopping cost of $24,700 (around Rs 17.5 lakh). After party The after-party, also known as the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, is pretty expensive, with tickets costing as high as $105,000 (around Rs 74 lakh). Oscar’s perks The awards not only bring a trophy to the winner but much more. The Best Actor or Best Actress gets an average of 20 percent pay raise. Additionally, the Oscars goodie bag contains gifts worth $148,000. Record breakers Many people and movies will make new records in Oscars 2020. Martin Scorsese is now the most nominated living director and Parasite, as it’s the first South Korean film to be nominated. And the best part is that it has been nominated to compete in (record-creating) all six of its nominated categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature Film, Best Original Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Production Design. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Tara Sutaria, Kareena Kapoor Isha Ambani, Ananya Panday: Best looks from Armaan Jain-Anissa Malhotra’s wedding - fashion and trends

Monday night was quite a star-studded event as Bollywood celebrities flocked to attend the ‘it’ wedding of this year, so far. It was Armaan Jain’s wedding to his longtime girlfriend Anissa Malhotra. Armaan is the son of Rima Jain, who is actors Rishi and Randhir Kapoor’s sister. Celebrities including the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Karan Johar, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Panday and Arjun Kapoor were present at the wedding. The festivities including the Mehendi and Sangeet ceremony took place over the course of the past week. Armaan entered in classic Indian dhuula style, dancing in his baraat, sitting between cousins Karisma and Kareena as they danced along. Armaan’s ivory classic Dhaka embroidered sherwani in off-white beige with sequins and stones was an Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla ensemble. His gold safa with gota details added a nice touch. Karisma wore a gorgeous pink silk saree, while Kareena wore a yellow one.

Anissa wore a classic red lehenga and looked absolutely gorgeous, we love that she chose the traditional colour. Armaan and Anissa got engaged last year, and celebrities dressed in their best wedding attire for the couple’s wedding. The male actors wore classics like sherwanis, bandhgalas, kurtas and so on, while the female actors went for the usual wedding wear suspects, sarees, lehengas, and just some Indo-fusion looks here and there. Here are some of the best dressed celebrities from the wedding, although all looked amazing as on does in a wedding.

    We love Tara Sutaria’s lehenga, her stylish was perfection too. Whose look did you like best? Read the full article

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Victoria’s Secret faces new sexual misconduct allegations - fashion and trends

New allegations of sexual misconduct have surfaced at Victoria’s Secret as the brand tries to remake its image after years of scandal and slumping sales. Female models and executives were bullied and harassed for decades at the lingerie chain, evidence of an “entrenched culture of misogyny,” according to a New York Times investigation published this weekend. The revelations come days after reports that L Brands Inc., owner of the troubled retailer as well as Bath & Body Works, was in talks to break up the company and that longtime Chief Executive Officer Les Wexner could step down. The allegations, coupled with criticism of the brand’s marketing and lingering questions around the company’s relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, continue to erode Victoria’s Secret’s chances to rebound as it faces rising competition. The culture at Victoria’s Secret was presided over by Ed Razek, the company’s controversial former chief marketing officer, as well as Wexner, according to interviews the Times conducted with more than 30 current and former executives, models and others, and from documents including court filings. Razek was the vision behind the chain’s once iconic fashion show where lacy lingerie-clad models strutted the runway wearing angel wings. Razek didn’t immediately respond to a voicemail request for comment. In a statement, independent directors on the L Brands board said the company is making strides in ensuring a safe workplace, and it has in recent years adopted “more robust anti-harassment policies, hotline’ reporting, and training.” We regret “We regret any instance where we did not achieve this objective and are fully committed to continuous improvement and complete accountability,” the directors said. Victoria’s Secret has for years been criticized for promoting models of a certain body type, while consumers have demanded more diversity, as well as themes of female empowerment. Wexner has since expressed regret over his association with Epstein, who in years past had served as his money manager. Epstein killed himself inside his jail cell in August as he was awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. “Everyone has to feel enormous regret from the advantage that was taken of so many young women,” Wexner said of Epstein at a September investor meeting in Columbus, Ohio. “That’s just unexplainable abhorrent behavior and clearly something we all would condemn.” L Brands shares fell as much as 3.2% on Monday in New York. They have declined in each of the past four years. L Brands Probe Last July, L Brands said it hired an external law firm to investigate any ties between the company and Epstein. Wexner’s relationship with him ended 13 years ago and the company doesn’t believe Epstein was ever formally employed by Victoria’s Secret. It’s unclear exactly what the review, which is being conducted by Davis Polk & Wardwell, a firm with deep ties to Wexner, is focused on. Six months in, it’s still continuing. In August, more than 100 models including Christy Turlington Burns and Edie Campbell signed an open letter to Victoria’s Secret CEO John Mehas calling for him to protect models against sexual harassment and assault. Razek left Victoria’s Secret that same month. In a note to employees, he said he’d recently told Wexner he wanted to retire. “With the exception of Les, I’ve been with L Brands longer than anyone,” he wrote. “It’s a tough conversation to have because, as some of you must know, we have shared so much together for so many years.” Epstein associated with Razek as well, and had some influence at Victoria’s Secret. In 2005, he was welcomed as a guest at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion, which was filled with young women who said they were working as models. Razek told a fellow guest that Victoria’s Secret used Epstein models. Many of the allegations outlined by the New York Times involve Victoria’s Secret’s annual fashion show, a global marketing phenomenon that typically aired in November. Razek had presided over it for decades, helping select the models and giving them locker room pep talks before the event. It was canceled last year as the label looked to alter its image. Davia Temin, CEO of crisis consulting firm Temin and Company, said the problems at Victoria’s Secret have become endemic, and it may need a new owner to survive. Patching up the brand by tweaking advertising won’t be enough, she said. “Unfortunately, now Victoria’s Secret’s brand has gone to sleazy from sexy,” Temin said. “And no re-brand is going to fix that.” ©2020 Bloomberg L.P. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.) Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Britney Spears’ beau reveals about their tandem workouts - fashion and trends

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari complement each other during their workout schedule and finally Sam has spilt their workout secrets with fans and followers. Britney and Sam have shared multiple clips and pictures from their sessions on social media over the years. Fans and followers pour their love as they find the singer and her trainer beau to be adorable. Sam has finally opened up about training and working up a sweat with his leading lady. “ is a natural-born athlete, so the info she has about working out combined with what I know about fitness, is what you see when we collaborate on new moves that we do together,” Sam told E! News, adding “It looks great on camera, but the moves are much harder in person than they look.”“We work out a lot together. We run, we do a lot of yoga, we really challenge ourselves to do different types of exercises. A lot of the yoga moves that she does I just can’t do. She is a natural-born athlete and she pushes herself, combining dancing along with various workouts.” Sam continued.Also read: Watch Sara Ali Khan’s pre-weight loss video. Here’s how she lost 35 kgs thanks to trainer Namrata Purohit“You just can’t plateau when you’re in shape,” he adds. “You really need to challenge yourself and change things up to maintain your fitness.”Sam has launched a fitness program on Wednesday, Asghari Fitness (AsghariFitness.com) in order to help people get in the best shape of their lives. “Everyone around me from my family, my girlfriend and my team encouraged me to do a program built for everyone to get in the best shape of their life,” Sam shared.Also read: Katrina Kaif shares inspiring workout videos full of ‘madness’, Parineeti Chopra says got ‘muscle soreness just looking at it’He also felt, “This is a professional program that is designed for everyone. It’s about changing people’s lifestyle. It’s a nutrition plan, it’s a workout and it incorporates the spiritual and mental aspects as well. It’s an all-encompassing program.”“The fitness program is designed for anyone, people who have an hour or even 30 minutes to get a workout in,” he continues. “Getting to the gym, just getting there is important, and to keep in mind calories in calories out. The program will keep track of what you’re doing in your personal profile. Most of the moves are centred around body weight, so you can do most of them anywhere.”While Sam and Britney love to hit the gym together, they also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities as well.“Most of the activities we do involvement movement anyway. We go horseback riding, bicycling and now we are thinking about skydiving,” Sam shares. “Skydiving is a very active sport, so we are looking into getting into it. We do a lot of outdoor activities together. We really want to adventure and live the best quality of life that we can.”Aside from training, Sam is also a blooming actor. He has shot for ‘NCIS’ and was also in ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ The trainer boy can be seen in the Carl Weber series, ‘The Family Business’. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Britney Spears’ beau reveals about their tandem workouts - fashion and trends

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari complement each other during their workout schedule and finally Sam has spilt their workout secrets with fans and followers. Britney and Sam have shared multiple clips and pictures from their sessions on social media over the years. Fans and followers pour their love as they find the singer and her trainer beau to be adorable. Sam has finally opened up about training and working up a sweat with his leading lady. “ is a natural-born athlete, so the info she has about working out combined with what I know about fitness, is what you see when we collaborate on new moves that we do together,” Sam told E! News, adding “It looks great on camera, but the moves are much harder in person than they look.”“We work out a lot together. We run, we do a lot of yoga, we really challenge ourselves to do different types of exercises. A lot of the yoga moves that she does I just can’t do. She is a natural-born athlete and she pushes herself, combining dancing along with various workouts.” Sam continued.Also read: Watch Sara Ali Khan’s pre-weight loss video. Here’s how she lost 35 kgs thanks to trainer Namrata Purohit“You just can’t plateau when you’re in shape,” he adds. “You really need to challenge yourself and change things up to maintain your fitness.”Sam has launched a fitness program on Wednesday, Asghari Fitness (AsghariFitness.com) in order to help people get in the best shape of their lives. “Everyone around me from my family, my girlfriend and my team encouraged me to do a program built for everyone to get in the best shape of their life,” Sam shared.Also read: Katrina Kaif shares inspiring workout videos full of ‘madness’, Parineeti Chopra says got ‘muscle soreness just looking at it’He also felt, “This is a professional program that is designed for everyone. It’s about changing people’s lifestyle. It’s a nutrition plan, it’s a workout and it incorporates the spiritual and mental aspects as well. It’s an all-encompassing program.”“The fitness program is designed for anyone, people who have an hour or even 30 minutes to get a workout in,” he continues. “Getting to the gym, just getting there is important, and to keep in mind calories in calories out. The program will keep track of what you’re doing in your personal profile. Most of the moves are centred around body weight, so you can do most of them anywhere.”While Sam and Britney love to hit the gym together, they also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities as well.“Most of the activities we do involvement movement anyway. We go horseback riding, bicycling and now we are thinking about skydiving,” Sam shares. “Skydiving is a very active sport, so we are looking into getting into it. We do a lot of outdoor activities together. We really want to adventure and live the best quality of life that we can.”Aside from training, Sam is also a blooming actor. He has shot for ‘NCIS’ and was also in ‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ The trainer boy can be seen in the Carl Weber series, ‘The Family Business’. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article

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Why is everyone still talking about Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Grammy couture? Here’s what Bollywood’s leading fashion designers think - fashion and trends

It’s been days since Priyanka Chopra Jonas made a red carpet appearance in a Ralph & Russo gown at the Grammys. The outfit had an enormous decolletage — with a mid-section slit going all the way down her pierced belly button — but the Internet hasn’t stopped commenting, critiquing and caricaturing the ensemble. Key in her name on Google and one finds numerous articles comparing her outfit with Jennifer Lopez’s iconic Versace dress. Priyanka’s Instagram post of the dress, which she captioned as “Tassel fun” gained close to a whopping three million likes (till the time of going to press), way more than her Met Gala (1,878,188 likes) and Cannes (909,564 likes) looks got. Designer Wendell Rodricks was quick to make a tongue-in-cheek remark on Instagram: “@priyankachopra nailed it at the Grammys 2020. Truly the bold and beautiful in this @ralphandrusso couture fringed gown where the neckline goes all the way from LA to Cuba. Love it.” Later he wrote, “Of course not many saw my sarcasm. It’s not for her this @ralphandrusso...” He deleted the second post and wrote: “Did I say anything about her body? No... I just said the dress was wrong for her... It was more dress shaming than body shaming...”And critiques are divided — some blame the badly constructed gown, others are hailing Priyanka for taking a risk. “This was one of the most unflattering looks on PeeCee. There was so much going on in the garment, starting from a plunging neckline to tassels and embroidery,” says designer Anand Bhushan.Designer Rina Dhaka hails it as a bold look “but certainly not wow-worthy. I thought of it as very JLO-ish. And she wanted to have a Liz Hurley moment”.

A section of designers is nixing the tendency to body shame. “A lot of people are saying the outfit was not age-appropriate. I don’t agree with that... but I personally didn’t like the look for other reasons. Also, it was trying too hard to re-do a JLO,” says designer Rimzim Dadu. “Priyanka managed to grab all eyeballs. Though I feel the dress would’ve looked better on someone a little taller. But she experimented with her look which was bold,” says designer Suneet Varma. Designer Monisha Jaising quips, “If you analyse the construction of the gown, the tassel detailing on the shoulder was required to balance the bare centre parting. However PeeCee carried off the tricky shoulder to navel silhouette with confidence.”Designer Shane Peacock applauds her: “Every red carpet look of hers has always been a distinctive pick — some have worked and some haven’t. This look has become a talking point, the objective of fashion.” Designer Nikhil Mehra seconds that, “One has to be really gutsy to pull off such a look and Priyanka is certainly the one. I applaud her for the choice she made.”Reports say PeeCee has bagged a big project in Hollywood. According to a report in Variety, the 37-year-old is in “final negotiations” to join the cast of Matrix 4. “ is in final talks to join the cast of the untitled fourth film,” insiders close to negotiations were quoted as saying. Directed by the Wachowskis, the fourth instalment will see the return of Keanu Reeves, and also star Carrie-Anne Moss and Neil Patrick Harris.Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Read the full article