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These Companies Donate Products Every Time You Shop. They've Given A Lot Away

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Giving money to a huge charity can feel good, but it may also leave you wondering if your donation has landed in a bureaucratic black hole.


That’s why the one-for-one model, which is increasingly gaining popularity among a range of industries, can be so appealing. Consumers buy something from a socially conscious company ― a pair of oversized Warby Parker glasses or high-performance Bombas socks, for example ― and the company gives a similar item to a person in need.


But how has this nascent model played out for homeless people, underserved children and other vulnerable groups?


Free Enterprise, a group that reports on U.S. businesses solving some pressing problems, looked into that very question and it came back with some heartening results: The one-for-one model is putting an enormous amount of crucial goods into the hands of people who need them, making it a system consumers can trust and feel proud of being a part of.


It’s refreshing to hear, especially considering the unknowns that are often involved with charity. When donors give to nonprofits, there’s no way of knowing if those funds are benefitting someone in need, or if they’re going to support a group’s overheard, salaries or administrative expenses.


Check out the infographic below to learn more about the seven leading one-for-one companies and how they’re making a difference.



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Melania Trump Sues Tabloid For $150 Million Over 'Escort Service' Report

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Melania Trump, the wife of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, on Thursday filed a defamation lawsuit against the U.S. publisher of the Daily Mail and an unrelated blogger over their reports (since retracted) that she worked as an escort in the 1990s.


According to Melania Trump’s lawyer, the suit seeks $150 million in damages for the egregious, malicious and harmful actions of the publication and the blogger, and which were “tremendously damaging to her personal and professional reputation.”


The Daily Mail is one of a number of publications that reprinted reports from a Slovenian magazine, Suzy. The reports concern a former mentor of Melania Trump, modeling agent Paulo Zampolli, who employed her in the 1990s. The Daily Mail, citing Suzy, reported that Zampolli also ran a high-end escort service. 


Trump and Zampolli both vehemently deny they were ever involved in the escort business. Melania Trump moved to the United States from Slovenia in 1996 and married Donald Trump in 2005 at a wedding attended by the Republican presidential nominee’s rival, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.


The blogger, Webster Tarpley, has already issued a formal retraction for the report. The Daily Mail removed the story from its website and also issued a retraction.


Melania Trump’s lawyer in the case is Michael Harder, whose client Hulk Hogan recently won a multimillion-dollar suit against Gawker Media over its publication of a sex tape featuring Hogan.


“Defendants broadcast their lies to millions of people throughout the U.S. and the world—without any justification,” Harder said in a statement about the case. “Their many lies include, among others, that Mrs. Trump supposedly was an ‘escort’ in the 1990s before she met her husband.”


So far this year, Melania Trump has largely sought to avoid the public eye, choosing instead to let her husband campaign alone while she raises the couple’s young son. In July, she was the subject of harsh scrutiny after it was revealed that her speech at the Republican National Convention contained lines that were lifted whole cloth from first lady Michelle Obama’s 2008 convention speech. Since then, Mrs. Trump has remained almost entirely out of the presidential spotlight. 


Still, the timing of the Melania Trump lawsuit, a little over two months from Election Day, raises questions about what impact the litigation might have on Trump’s presidential campaign. As of Thursday evening, the Trump campaign had not issued a statement about the suit, and declined to comment. 

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The Duchess Of Cambridge Is Wearing Gap Pants And All Is Right In The World

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The world can seem like a bleak, dark place sometimes. That’s why it’s so important to cherish all the good times, big or small. 


You know, like when the style icon the Duchess of Cambridge owns a pair of Gap pants you, too, can also afford. 






On Friday the former Kate Middleton and Prince William visited The Eden Project, a charity and educational attraction in Cornwall, as part of a two-day tour of the area. For her second day of engagements, Kate went casual (and oh-so-cute) in a Smythe jacket, a white top and pair of graphic printed pants from Gap.


We’re not seeing the exact pattern Kate’s wearing on the U.K. or U.S. Gap websites at the moment (maybe they’re from that shopping trip a couple years ago), but the pants themselves ― the bi-stretch skinny ankle pants ―are still available in a range of other colors and patterns. Some styles are currently on for $24.97, to boot. 


The previous day, Kate went a little more luxe: She wore a pink pastel Lela Rose dress that retails for $1,295 (it’s on sale now for $777, but still).



Sigh. She’s just so darn versatile.

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Model Whose Body Was Criticized By Her Agency Starts Rad Body-Positive Campaign

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Charli Howard made waves back in 2015 when she published an open letter to her modeling agency for criticizing the size of her body ― a U.S. size 2/4. She ultimately dropped the agency as a result. 


Now Howard stars in the brand new All Woman Project, a campaign she co-created in an effort to flip the standards of beauty in the fashion industry and beyond. The campaign photos also include campaign co-creator Clementine DesseauxIskra Lawrence, who is the face of body positive brand Aerie, fellow model Denise Bidot, and more. 



Desseaux said in a statement that the photoshop-free editorial was created in part to give young women more diverse shapes, sizes and colors in the fashion industry to look up to, and to show just how similar all women are ― whether models or otherwise.


“Rather than Photoshopping our bodies and our ‘flaws’, we’ve chosen to highlight and embrace them,” she said. “We may be models, but we all have cellulite, stretch marks and other flaws that make us women, but which society teaches us to be ashamed of. This campaign is designed to unify women around the globe.”


The images, which were shot by curvy models and photographers Lily Cummings and Heather Hazzan, feature close ups of body parts as well as stunning group images to represent every facet of who the women are. According to the campaign statement, “our physical attributes do not define us as women; our strength and character does. All of this make us all woman.”



Preach.


Check out additional photos from the editorial below, and learn more at All Woman Project


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Colin Kaepernick Shows Unapologetic Pride With Afro In Full Formation

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Colin Kaepernick’s blackness was on full display Thursday night when he continued his protest against the national anthem while rocking a full-fledged ‘fro on the field. 


The San Fransisco 49ers quarterback decided last Friday to sit during the national anthem in protest against police brutality and America’s systemic oppression of black people. On Thursday, Kaepernick carried out the same act of defiance alongside other players who joined him. Except this time, Kaepernick didn’t miss the chance to comb out his curls, maybe add a little oil sheen and play the game with an afro so round and full that it made the perfect fodder for a hashtag: #KapSoBlack.


Black Twitter chimed in by praising Kaepernick’s natural do and his unapologetic embrace of his blackness. Here are just a few of those hilarious and truthful tweets under the hashtag: 










































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Shakespearean Actresses Are Getting Nude Again, In The Name Of Free Expression

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Earlier this year, enterprising theatre troupe The Torn Out Theatre company stripped one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays down to its bare bones.


Okay, we’ll cut it out with the euphemisms. The troupe’s actresses performed “The Tempest” in Central Park in May, naked. And although a cast of undressed women might seem like a gimmick, the play wasn’t a shocking one-off ― it’s set to return to New York on Sept. 7, this time at the Music Pagoda in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.


A statement on Torn Out’s website explains that its wardrobe choice worked in harmony with “central themes of identity and liberation” in the play, building on “a long tradition of free expression in theatrical productions held in outdoor settings.”


But the performance stirred up controversy among theatre-goers. 


The Huffington Post’s original writeup pondered the value of Shakespeare sans clothes ― considering the Bard’s affinity for expressive dress ― and was quoted by The New York Post, which claimed we “trilled” that the production was “liberating.” (Possibly an oversell on our original take.)


Still, we didn’t anticipate such a huge, largely negative, backlash to the production. While Salon hailed the play as “brave” and “beautiful,” CBS reported on frustrated parents who felt the play was inappropriate for park-going children. More nuanced decriers dismissed the production as inartistic, or a misconstruing of Shakespeare’s themes.



A cast member from the first production backed up the social significance of her troupe’s performance.


“You can do only so many Facebook rants about women’s equality, and this felt like direct action,” Reanna Roane, who played the sprite Ariel, told The New York Post. “This is my body, I’m proud of it, and I’m using it to tell a story.”


Of course, The Torn Out Theatre company isn’t the first group to get, erm, creative with Shakespeare’s texts. Drunk Shakespeare, a screwball-y off-Broadway production, works tequila shots and tomfoolery into the plot of “Macbeth,” retaining the value of the original story while sprucing it up with a light, accessible vibe. Another recent New York City production revamped revamped “The Taming of the Shrew” with an all-woman cast while Pulitzer-winning author Anne Tyler updated the same play through the lens of a troublesome green card marriage.


Shakespeare purists may object, but it seems that modern attempts to keep his work relevant aren’t going anywhere.


Take a look below for more images taken during the troupe’s May 20 performance of “The Tempest” in Central Park:







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These Couples Wore Matching Outfits For A Week And Things Got Weird

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There’s a relationship trend in South Korea, called Keo-Peul-Look, where couples wear matching outfits to prove just how committed they are.


So, naturally, BuzzFeed couples Freddie and Paul and Safiya and Tyler decided to try the trend out in the streets of America to see what all the fuss is about.


The verdict? They didn’t hate it, but it probably isn’t something they’d want to do on a daily basis either. 


Hear more about how they felt about the whole ordeal in the BuzzFeed video above.

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A Nobel Prize for Sustainable Fashion

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Before we finish eating breakfast each morning, we have already depended on more than half of the world.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s words remind us we are not only what we eat, we are what we wear, and we are everything we are thanks to the world's work.

We already compose a full circle of global citizenship and interdependent community, now it's time to bring the economy full circle too.

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As the second dirtiest industry in the world after oil, the fashion sector is the key to advancing sustainability globally. Fashion needs to take bold action to "close the loop" from "cradle to grave", from production in the labs and factory floors to the personal production on our selves in the way we wear, use and re-use our garments, in order to slow down the degradation of our environment.

H&M has made unprecedented commitments to sustainability and to shape the future by relentlessly challenging the status quo of the present.

"Just as when my grandfather founded H&M in 1947, we are a company with a long-term view and strong values. Our sustainability commitment is deeply rooted in our culture. We are well aware of what a gift it is to grow up and live in a democratic state that respects the environment and human rights, and it is in this spirit that we also want to operate globally - today and tomorrow," Karl-Johan Persson, CEO Hennes & Mauritz.


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The Persson family hails from Sweden where less than 1 percent of waste ends up in the garbage. As the first EU green capital (Stockholm) and one of the most environmentally progressive nations in the world, sustainability is a core social and family value for Swedes and an inspiration for Swedish companies to maintain a harmony between man and land in the way they do business.

In this spirit, Stefan Persson founded the H&M Foundation, a global, privately funded non-profit with a mission to marry passion and values, sustainability and innovation, with solutions to change our world.

Sweden is the land of Alfred Nobel, and a quest for great ideas and empirical excellence remains interwoven in the social psyche. Like Mr. Nobel who believed that even if only one out of thousands of ideas is good then the time spent was worthy, Mr. Persson and his family have invested equally in the quest for great minds and new approaches.

Last year, the H&M Foundation launched the Global Change Award, one of the world's biggest challenges for early stage innovation and the first such initiative in the fashion industry. Akin to the Nobel Prize for fashion, the award seeks to disrupt the industry by selecting the best early stage ideas and incubating them toward the goal of a circular fashion industry.


"Moving towards a circular fashion industry is of immense importance. Even though it's challenging, it also opens up great opportunities, and makes clear business sense," Karl-Johan Persson.


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The circular approach represents a shift from the linear "take, make, waste" production and consumption model to a model where products and valuable resources are being used in closed loops, according to the H&M Foundation.

The Global Change Award seeks new concepts that can speed up the shift from a linear to a circular fashion industry, with the ultimate goal of protecting people, the planet and ameliorating our living conditions.

Nominees for the award are selected, and narrowed down by an esteemed expert panel which includes supermodel and environmental activist Amber Valetta, Vikram Widge, Head of Climate and Carbon Finance at the World Bank Group, and more leading sustainable fashion experts. Winners receive a 1 million euro grant, distributed among them through a public online vote, and a yearlong accelerator program provided by KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Accenture.

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Last year, the selected awardees included innovators using citrus plants and green algae to make textiles, converting waste cotton into reusable materials, and using microbes to recycle polyester waste, all ground-breaking ideas that could change the industry for good.

"Sharing new ideas is key for the fashion industry to become circular. By selecting and promoting the projects of brilliant, creative and concerned people, the Global Change Award is making a significant contribution to accelerating this beneficial change." Franca Sozzani, Editor-in-Chief Vogue Italia and GCA jury member.


Fresh ideas are the foundation for change, but scaling and growing them is an enormous challenge in every sector. It takes a Goliath to help shine light on the strength of David. Fortunately, this is where only a company with the global reach of H&M and the heart and drive of the H&M Foundation comes in.

"We know for a fact that winning the Global Change Award opens a lot of heavy doors and it will give you a boost through funding, coaching, access and validation that you probably can't find elsewhere. If you want to reinvent one of the largest industries in the world, this is the place to go," Erik Bang, Project Manager for the Global Change Award.


In today's era of modern communications, attention and audience building can be more valuable than investment and financing. All five of last year's winners credit the Global Change Award with giving them the public awareness, access and network that would have taken them a lifetime to achieve, if they were lucky.

"The grant of course was welcomed, but the attention we have received from this award has played a very important role. When you work in a lab, you can be doing great things that no one ever sees or cares about. Winning the Global Change Award puts our work on display and raises awareness," Michael Hummel, Aalto University Helsinki and 2015 GCA winner.

Creativity, consideration and consumption need to learn to live in symbiosis. We need to leverage a mass movement toward quality not quantity, goodness and humanity not purposeless consumption and instant gratification.


A new generation is demanding fashion to be an agent for change and H&M is hearing that siren call loud and clear. The Global Change Award is the platform for positive social change that will help build the groundwork for the heroes of tomorrow.

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Listen to the 2015 awards ceremony and exclusive interviews with Amber Valetta, jury members and winners from on Stand Out podcast with Natalia Brzezinski.

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Follow the Global Change Award: Facebook: Global Change Award, Twitter: @glblchangeaward, Instagram: @globalchangeaward Hashtags: #gca2016, #HMFoundation.
YouTube channel

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L.A. Swim Week; a Summer Highpoint

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LA Swim Week model in Pauleth Swimwear 2016 (photo:Jon Malan)

"Why should Miami be the only place to show beachwear? We have better weather anyway!" says Connie Borja, executive producer of L.A. Swim Week, which returned for the second year in Los Angeles in July and which was held in the Skirball center. The day long event was a splashing success as the attendance doubled this year from last year's spectator headcount of 550.

Borja's inspiration for the swimwear fashion show was to secure a foothold for beachwear designers in the city with some of the most famous beaches in the world. Amazingly, a swimwear fashion event doesn't exist in Los Angeles and is the domain of Miami.

The one day event also had pop up shops and designers with trendy fashion selections on sale in the foyer as well as a red carpet.

Borja, who designs her own beach fashion line Amour, originally thought up the event to showcase her own line but the event has blossomed beyond her expectations. "Last year we had 10 designers, this year we have 22 with three returning." And some of those designers are heavy hitters, Leonisa, 60 years in the business, has returned as well as Beachflirt22 from Greece, Duskii from Australia and Sezuki Kenzo from Tokyo.

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Leonisa 2016 (photos Vincente Tabora)

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Beachflirt22 with designer Eleni Armaos (photo Vincente Tambora)

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Ladyswim 2016 (photo: Derrick Bracks)

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Pauleth Swimwear 2016 (photo: Derrick Bracks)

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Sezuki Kenzo 2016 (photo: Derrick Bracks)

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Duskii 2016 (photo: Philip Morton)

The evening was inspiring, exciting and at times jaw dropping. The designs were thoughtful, colorful, running from risqué to traditional, and always sensual, alluring and evocative.

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Dustin Quick and Medi EM perform at LA Swim Week open (photo: Vincente Tabora)

Vanessa Sanchez, at 15, is a new comer to the fashion scene and launched her own swimwear line last year: 'Nessy Swimwear." Keeping it simple her designs have great lines and color choices.

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Nessy Swimwear 2016 (photo: Vincente Tabora)

And Amour Swimwear, bold, athletic, exciting:

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Amour 2016 (photo Vincente Tabora)

"Our dream is to add more days next year, and grow to have a full week for designers who want to be known in Los Angeles," said Borja. Pop up shops and platinum level seating sold out for her event this year, proving the demand for an event like this in Los Angeles.

We're new, and we're excited to create a platform where designers can get connected and come together.


Borja also had buyers from Macy's and Diane's swimwear in attendance so that designers could connect directly to the actual market place.

LA Swim Week is a smart and stylish addition to the LA fashion scene, one you might have thought we already had as the beach is synonymous with all things LA,. From Malibu to Zuma down to Redondo and up to Matador we have some of the most iconic beaches in the world and now it seems we have a local fashion platform to properly strut our stuff.

For more information on LA Swim Week, recap of the event and information on some of the participating designers.

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5 Things To Retire From Your Closet When YOU Retire

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No, this isn’t going to be one of those lists that tells you what you are too old to wear. Our feeling is, if you like something, wear it. If anyone calls it not age appropriate, just tell them you are actually only 24 but haven’t aged all that well.


But there are some things that should retire from your closet along with you. Feel free to add any other items you can think of in the comments below.


1. Bras that you ripped off the minute you got home from work.


We’re not sure why you were wearing them all day anyway, but if you begin unhooking them on the car ride home, they are definitely candidates for the thrift store. 


Underwire bras were invented by a misogynist. Actually they were invented by Howard Hughes for sweater girl-actress Jane Russell to wear in the movie, “The Outlaw.” Hughes’ previous experience ― and perhaps only qualification for the creation of the push-up bra ― was that he designed airplanes. Steel and breasts are the oil-and-water of fashion.


Upon retirement, you should also lose any bras that close in the back and require you to wriggle and squirm to get them on. And it goes without saying that any bra that causes shoulder or back pain deserves to be burned, circa 1962-style.







2. High heels.


There is an excellent chance that a smart woman like yourself long ago kept her heels under her desk and slipped them on on an as-needed basis, spending the rest of the day in flats. 


But chances are, you still have the heels. Sure your niece’s wedding is coming up a year from February, but you will no more want to wear them then than you do now.


Dump the high heels. Dump the low ones too. Make your tootsies happy.



3. The office sweater.


You know the one that has hung on the back of your chair for years because the air conditioning never works right? In case you were wondering, office air conditioners are set for the comfort level of men, not women ― science says!


With fond memories of how you spent menopausal days taking it off and putting it back on, now just put it in the Goodwill pile.


 



4. The second set of everything.


In your desk drawer or job locker, there is a good chance you have a second comb and brush, a complete set of makeup including face wash and moisturizer, a toothbrush and toothpaste and probably even dental floss.


Your workplace has been your second home. Time to liberate yourself, bring  what you want to your real home and just heave the rest of it into the trash.


5. The non-Mom jeans you bought for casual Fridays.


Maybe they were skinny jeans or super skinny jeans or low-waisted-barely-covering-your-butt-crack jeans. In any case, they were whatever jeans that were trending at the time of purchase. We applaud the valiant effort on your part to fit into the corporate culture. Bet you even hit up the beer taps once just to show you could. But as far as the jeans go, long ago you figured out which brand and style was the most comfortable.


The thing about jeans is that your favorite pair are the only ones you ever really want to wear. Keep those and bag up the rest.


As for the rest of the usual suspects ― shorts for the company picnic, a bikini for the office pool party, pony tail holders for the days you didn’t have time to wash your hair? You have our blessing to wear and not wear whatever you want. Fools, be damned.

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Kim Kardashian And Saint West Pose Using Snapchat Filters

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Images on Snapchat are intended to be ephemeral, but there’s no chance these photos of Kim Kardashian with her son, Saint West, could disappear so quickly.


You’d have to actually break the internet to keep people from sharing pictures of Saint West digitally donned in various Snapchat filters.


Saint turned 9 months old Monday, so Kardashian posted a few photos of the happy child on the app for her followers.


 A great way to celebrate your Labor Day is to look at an extremely wealthy child already taking on the look of retirement:



 


Or fawn over Saint West as a deer:


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Watch Kate Beckinsale And Chloë Sevigny Gossip In Old-Timey Dresses

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In May, the movie “Love & Friendship” debuted to nearly universal praise and now has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 98 percent. But as with any movie, seemingly less than perfect footage didn’t quite make the cut. 


For the Blu-ray and DVD release of “Love & Friendship,” The Huffington Post obtained a deleted scene that director Whit Stillman deemed unworthy for the final version of his adaptation to the Jane Austen short novel, Lady Susan.


It will never be known if this roughly 30-second clip would have tanked the 98 percent reception for this movie (it wouldn’t have), but you can judge for yourself.


In this deleted scene, Kate Beckinsale and Chlöe Sevigny gossip about love while ascending a staircase. 





 


Here’s the trailer for “Love & Friendship.”




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Kim Kardashian And North West Wear Matching Mommy-And-Me Sequined Dresses

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There were two more flashing lights than usual in New York City Monday night. 


Kanye West kicked off the first of two performances at Madison Square Garden on Labor Day for his Saint Pablo tour. The show was attended by the likes of Chris Rock, Sarah Jessica Parker and Naomi Campbell, to name a few major stars. In other words, the highly anticipated event was a real party. 


And like any two party girls would, Kim Kardashian and North West dressed oh-so-appropriately for the occasion. 



West’s wife and daughter wore nearly identical silver sequined dresses to watch their main man perform. They sported matching mock necks, long sleeves and even open backs:



Kardashian’s dress had a fitted bottom, with one other difference below: North sported an adorable pair of black Vans sneakers while Kim donned clear Cinderella-style heels. 



Kardashian posted a Snapchat from inside the concert with Campbell and former Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld. Looks like North finished off her look with a pair of noise-canceling headphones and a lollipop:




If this is any indication of the outfits we can look forward to when this mommy-daughter duo hits New York Fashion Week, bring it on. 


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Rihanna Declares Her Love For New York With Giant Heart-Shaped Fur Coat

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Move over, Taylor Swift. If you ask us, there’s a new, even more dedicated New York City ambassador in town.


Rihanna stepped out for a friend’s birthday in NYC over the weekend wearing a giant red heart-shaped fox fur coat and denim cut-offs. If you thought she was celebrating being the love of Drake’s life (and everyone else’s), think again. 


“I ❤ NY,” she captioned an Instagram showing off the curious look



As if the grand gesture of wearing a giant $15,500 Saint Laurent coat in 81-degree weather wasn’t enough, she also did something only few true New York enthusiasts would dare to do.


Rihanna went in the street in her big fur coat and fed pigeons. 






Regardless of how many times they’re told getting pooped on by a pigeon is good luck, New Yorkers tend to find the birds to be somewhat of a nuisance ― but not Rihanna.


She is so dedicated to this great city, she’s happy to even dote on its less than appreciated inhabitants.






Not into feeding animals while wearing them? Try getting your hands on one of these faux fur alternatives

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5 Super Productive Ways to Shop Online

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Online shopping is big business these days, with more and more consumers across the world turning to the web to purchase goods. This is especially the case in countries where ecommerce is really taking hold over the way people shop.

The bargains are there. The selection is mind-boggling. The shopping is secure. Shipping is fast. Even returns are pretty easy, with the right e-tailers. Shopping has never been easier or more convenient for consumers.

But similar to the difficulty you face in selecting an outfit to wear when you have a closet full of clothes, online shopping can be daunting. The abundance of options sometimes lets confusion set in. You can roam the web for several hours and still not make any purchase! It can be frustrating.

Stay calm. While it may seem somewhat daunting, this singularly should not keep you from shopping online. You simply need some common sense and practical advice. Follow these basic guidelines and you can shop online productively.



1. Get on with Live Chat

When that window pops up to ask if you need help, don't roll your eyes and hit "No, thanks." Lots of retailers offer real-time assistance. You can chat via a method similar to instant messaging or, at some sites, call a rep. It's like in-store help, but with no shouting and calling behind a dressing-room door.

A Customer-Service Rep can help track down a size or a color. Just because it's out of stock online doesn't mean that the object of your desire isn't hiding out in a store somewhere. The reps also answer questions about an item that go beyond the description you see. Is it stretchy? How sheer is it? Does the hem have fabric to spare? Ask and ye shall receive the answers.

Some online shopping sites are tailored to provide styling advice. Looking for trending straight-leg black pants? Instead of combing through the entire site, let someone else do the search for you. Stumped about which shoes would go best with the dress you picked out? Expert stylists are standing by to offer guidance.

2. Filter by size or color or style.

In other words, don't waste time browsing items that are available only in sizes 0 and 10 if you're a 6. Also, Start from the bottom up. Since most people scroll from the top down, there will be fewer people fighting for the items down below.

Add to cart, even if you're unsure, especially during a sale. You blink, you lose that beige lacey blouse. Put an item in your basket, then do the pondering. You usually have 15 minutes to make a final decision. Sold out? Use the wait list. The retailer will sometimes go back to the manufacturer and ask for more merchandise.


3. Use Discount Savers

There are so many platforms out there that offer discounts from online retailers and boutiques across the globe. Don't think any discount is too small for those lovely products you're about to put in the cart. It's important to be wise with your money while shopping. Using discount saving platforms such as Crowdsavers is a proactive way to shop and be wise with your spending.

Crowdsavers is a go-to resource for savvy online shoppers hoping to save a dollar or two wherever possible. Not only can you find brand new gear for way below regular retail prices, but you also get several discounts and the use of coupons on here is amazing! From fashion to food, to makeup and all your shopping needs are met here.


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Credit

4. Factor in shipping.

High shipping costs can spoil what seems like a bargain. Typically, shipping runs about $10, but it could be more. Always look out for free shipping or discounts from online stores.

Also check if the item is marked nonreturnable. Even if your purchase is not final sale, find out if you'll be able to get your money back or be stuck with a merchandise credit.

In addition, keep in mind that if return shipping isn't free, you could be out $20 for round-trip shipping. If you buy something that's final sale and end up not wanting it, contact the retail site anyway. The company may take it back to keep you happy, especially if it's for a reason that involved the retailer, like a misleading color or description.

5. Money-Saving Tricks


One quick way to bag a deal online is to play hard-to-get. Put an item in your basket, then leave the site. Unless you need an item immediately, put a few days between the moment when you add it to your online shopping cart, and when you check out. You never know what sorts of bait the retailers may use to lure you over the finish line.

You may get a follow-up e-mail offering a discount or free shipping.
Also, change your web browser. Sites that recognize you may give you a higher price based on your spending history or ZIP code. You can sometimes get around this by clearing your cookies or opening a new browser.

6. Get Recommendations from Friends and other Shoppers

Honestly, one of the smartest ways to save your time is by asking friends, family or other shoppers for their recommendations on specific products. Read up on product reviews online, get on social media and check what other shoppers have to say on forums about a brand or product. Some websites can look super savvy and friendly with great products, but they might have really bad customer service processes or a long delivery time. If you're looking to be super productive while shopping, you should definitely use these tips.

While there are several ways to create a super productive and effective shopping experience, these guidelines will help you stay alert and save money in the process. From using discount savers, live chats to digging into product reviews; these quick tips will make online shopping seamless.

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The Resurgence Of The Indian Handloom

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It's been over seven decades when Mahatma Gandhi promoted 'Khadi' as an idea to instill Nationalism and fight British colonialism in India. Khadi, one of India's often heard handloom varieties has stood as a symbol of India's simplicity and self-sufficiency.

However, India's prowess in its home-grown handloom sector is far from simple. The mere range of weaves and motifs are mind blowing. Handloom, fabric that woven by hand entirely has a spectacular range from every part of the country. While Tamil Nadu boasts of its Kanchipuram silks, Andhra has a Pochampally to show off. Gujarat basks in its tie-and-dyes and Varanasi makes us melt over its Benarasi silks. There's more- Sungadi, Mangalgiri, Jamdani, Venkatagiri, Ilkal, Ikkat, Bandhani, the list simply goes on and on. In other words, India's range is simply unmatched and totally enviable.

Despite its incredible exclusivity, handloom makes up just 11% of India's total fabric production. Handlooms has largely been replaced by power looms that automate the process of weaving decreases labor costs and reduces production time. A typical handloom piece can take several painstaking hours of manipulating wefts and warps to create a saree or the hugely popular Indian salwar kameez. The power loom fabric market accounts for about 70% of the market. The finesse of the patterns and motifs of a handloom piece are hardly replaceable by the power looms.

Due to the premium placed on every handloom textile, several power loom pieces are passed off as handloom fabric in the market.

In an attempt to stem this practice that can rob India of its tremendous potential and USP, the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi launched the India Handloom Brand, an initiative aimed at preserving the authenticity of our weaves while ensuring that the weaver gets his due for his efforts. The scheme ensures the every garment that carries the Handloom Mark Scheme holds up to the highest quality standards with zero defects and zero effect on the environment.

This effort by the Modi Government was bolstered by his open appeal to the Public to value and preserve the Indian Handloom legacy has resulted in a spurt of growth in the handloom sector. Recently, a bunch of students at the Indian Institute of Hyderabad was reported to have cast away their graduation capes to don Pochampally( an Ikkat weave of Andhra Pradesh) scarves to celebrate the occasion. A sure indication of the rise of their popularity. The handloom industry is also seeing a resurgence with recent hashtags like #IWearHandloom promoted by the textile minister Smriti Irani.

The appeal of the Indian traditional wear has been enhanced by the sheer adaptability of the Indian garment. There are sarees to suit every occasion- from weddings to festive occasions to office wear- the saree is seen as a versatile garment of grace for the Indian woman. The salwar kameez, a traditional ethnic outfit has also adapted itself to the needs of the modern woman through its various forms- the Anarkali suits, Churidar, Dhoti Salwar, Achkan salwar kameez, parallel salwar kameez and many more.

It's high time we spared a thought and made "Woven in India" a matter of pride and as important as the "Make in India" campaign.

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Kanye West Under Fire For 'Multiracial Women Only' Casting Call

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Twitter is not happy with Kanye West. 


On Saturday, West tweeted a casting call for his Yeezey Season 4 New York Fashion Week show, set to take place in Manhattan Wednesday. The call was very specific in its ask for “multiracial women only.” 






The rapper, who is also currently performing his Saint Pablo tour at Madison Square Garden, received a flurry of responses criticizing the move. 






















Women’s Wear Daily reported that more than 500 modeling hopefuls showed up for their chance to make it into Yeezy’s show. And they didn’t seem to think he was being exclusionary. 


“He’s so different from everyone else,” one 18-year-old told WWD. “I just think this is such an interesting show. I feel like any girl could do it, whether you’re six feet tall size zero, or size four. There’s just an opportunity with him.”



See who showed up for #KanyeWest's #YeezySeason4 casting call in NYC on neuewilden.com now.

A photo posted by Neue Wilden (@neuewilden) on





Yeezy season (4) approaching

A photo posted by Chenelle (@chenelledarby) on



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Rihanna And Drake Have Matching Shark Tattoos, So Love Is Real

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There are many mysteries in this world, and one of the most important ones we have yet to solve is whether or not Rihanna and Drake are deeply, madly, irrevocably in love.


RiRi and Drake have been confusing us on the reg, making everyone question whether they’re on or off on a daily basis. From their secret outings to their VMAs pronouncements, we don’t know if they’re “too good” for one another. (We’re sorry.. )


In any case, the duo seems to be going strong with their latest matching tattoos:






Let’s break this down.


As per the ‘gram, Rihanna got a camouflage shark tattoo on her foot on Sept. 2:



Camo shark for my dear friend @badgalriri Also... I just found out you can zoom on IG- enjoy :)

A photo posted by Bang Bang (@bangbangnyc) on




And, it appears everyone’s favorite Canadian got a camo shark of his own ... when? We don’t know. We just know that it was on his arm at a show in New Orleans this weekend.


You can spot the tat on Drake’s right forearm, below the fish:



The tattoo artist at Bang Bang who did Rih’s shark told Complex that the ink is personal.


“I’ve seen many people online guessing what the tattoo means, but it’s not my place to say. I will say I’ve tattooed Rihanna many times and last night was my favorite.”


No word yet on whether or not that artist also did Drake’s, but hopefully time will tell. 


We’ll be over here, patiently waiting in our Fenty slides for the next update on what these lovers are doing ...

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These Designers Are Proving Queer Fashion Is Way More Than Just A Trend

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From countless articles mapping the rise of androgynous models to the influx of highly visible gender-neutral clothing to celebrities challenging gender-based expectations through fashion, the queering of the fashion industry is a phenomenon that parallels the rapid acceptance of the LGBT community by mainstream society.


Some have argued that this shift in fashion is appropriative or commodifying of the LGBT community, while others have celebrated It, deeming it a sign of progress.


But the question remains: what happens to fashion brands that proudly call themselves queer? That is, brands that go beyond the fashion industry’s recent fascination with androgynous gender presentation and create both clothing and space for a multitude of identities across the spectrum of sexual preference and gender identity.



dapperQ is one fashion brand and blog that describes itself as queer and is attempting to start a conversation amongst queer fashion designers.


“I protested fashion until I realized it was my greatest tool,” Deeba Zivari,the brand ambassador for dapperQ, told The Huffington Post last week.


This week will mark dapperQ’s third NYFW presentation at The Brooklyn Museum ― they launched in 2013 with a multi-brand, interactive queer style event (un)Heeled pegged to the museum’s Killer Heels exhibit.


The 2016 show, which presents outside of the traditional structure of New York Fashion week, is called iD and will showcase the work of eight design houses.



To dapperQ, conventional fashion brands and magazines, which have capitalized on the trend of “queering fashion,” don’t accurately reflect the full spectrum of queer experience.


“Queer style is not a trend. It is an intrinsic part of our culture and identities and deserves on-going space at the fashion table,” dapperQ Owner and iD Executive Producer Anita Dolce Vita told The Huffington Post. “If gender fluidity is marketed as a legitimate way of existing and not just as a disposable trend, I support the mainstream industry advancing equality in fashion, so long as the original creators and thought leaders are properly credited and compensated.”


Dolce Vita sees radical potential in the fashion world to not only fight for and preserve notions of self-expression within the LGBT community, but contribute to the ongoing fight for social justice.


“Queer style is one of the most fashionable forms of resistance and is a powerful tool in our fight for liberation,” Dolce Vita added.



Zivari echoed these sentiments when it came to her own personal journey with style and her queer identity.


“It was the exercise of style that gave me the gift of using material other than words to communicate my inside-outside world,” she told HuffPost. “The confidence to stand for myself, the access to community, the feeling of home, the integrity to tell the truth, and welcome the truth.”


Dolce Vita told HuffPost that one of the foundational goals of dapperQ and its annual show is recognizing the importance of maintaining agency over the aesthetics and ideas that the LGBT community pioneered.


“These mediums and communities are reshaping conversations around gender, size, race, ethnicity, ableism, and more,” said Dolce Vita. “The mainstream fashion industry is taking note of how powerful and influential these communities are, but it is really important that the queer community play a prominent role in presenting and discussing our ideas. Fashion is political and style is not just a trend.” 


“iD” will take place at The Brooklyn Museum will take place on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. Head here for more information and check out a list of participating designers and photos of their work below.


Participating iD designers:


Angie Chuang by Angie Chuang



Nik Kacy Footwear by NiK Kacy


Sharpe Suiting by Leon Wu



Sir New York by Auston Bjorkman



Stuzo Clothing by Stoney Michelli & Uzo Ejikeme



The Tailory by Shao Yang



Thomas Thomas by SJ Weston



We Are Mortals by Anji Becker 





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Autumn Style Edit

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Award winning Savile Row Tailor Alexandra Wood shares her top tips on how to seamlessly transition your wardrobe from Summer to Autumn.

Long summer days may be a thing of the past but that doesn't mean you have to scrap all colour from your wardrobe. No need to go from white to black in one clean swoop either according to Alexandra Wood whose clients have appeared on GQ's best dressed list.

"It's a tricky time of year. One day it's a balmy, Indian Summers day, the next there's a nip and a chill to the air that makes you want to pop your scarf on. Here's what you need in your wardrobe to ensure you look stylish no matter what the weather."

Merino Knitwear:
Perfect for this time of year. Go for earthy Autumnal tones of olive, fawn, burnt red and petrol blue. Wear draped over shoulders for a tres chic look. Or slip V-necks over an open-neck crisp white shirt. Crew necks look best worn over a classic, white crew neck T-shirt. Make it look intentional.

Shirts:
Keep it crisp. Shirts are the staple to your add ons so avoid wishy washy colours. Think texture, thin stripe or fresh baby to mid blues and of course my favourite; white. We've been sampling new, jersey, stretch shirts which are perfect for an impeccable fit and look great when layering.

Trousers:
Flannel trousers are a super sharp, chic addition for Autumn/Winter. Simple classics such as charcoal, navy and black make any wardrobe that bit more sumptuous.

Socks:
If you've been opting for a sock-free look this summer, now's the time to bring them back. Go for fresh pops of colour in pure cotton or pure wool to keep your feet fresh, cool and comfortable. Although wool might sound odd, it has the ability to both warm you up or cool you down. What's not to like?

Shoes:
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Replace slip-ons of the moccasin and loafer variety for elegant, streamline shoes in the fabulous, new "Rosewood" colour which gives a cheeky nod to the season while keeping you bang on trend.

Blazers:
If you're not a full-on suit wearer, then you can't beat a beautifully cut blazer in flannel, a plaid or a classic, navy. Colour is still big through Autumn/Winter. You'll be seeing a lot more sumptuous fabrics too, ideal for layering with knitwear and shirts. For those in-between season days, mix and match weights of fabric but take it easy. Teaming linen trousers with a heavy weight wool jacket would be taking it a step too far!

Pocket Squares:
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A fabulous and easy way to add seasonal colour. We've teamed up with Mr. Jenks to bring our customers a punchy palate from which to choose this season. If you're afraid to fully commit to vibrancy then these are the ideal solution. From neutral tones, to linen to a real, strong silky colour, these are perfect to add to your blazer.

Jeans:
Make sure they're dark indigo, smooth and sharp. Lighter jeans simply don't work in the Autumn. Slim fits cannot be beaten no matter what your body shape but avoid drain pipes and baggy fits. Add a beautifully tailored blazer to a pair of baggy jeans and the look is lost. Steer clear!

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

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