GENEVA (AFP) ― A centuries-old diamond passed down through generations of European royalty fetched nine million Swiss francs ($9.7 million) at auction in Geneva on Tuesday.The 35-carat “Beau Sancy” diamond was worn by Marie de Medici, Queen consort of Henry IV, at her coronation in 1610.Five bidders spanning three continents competed for the historic jewel at a Sotheby’s auction where there was little evidence of the current global financial woes. An anonymous telephone bidder purchased the jewe

May 16, 2012

 Veteran designer Lie Sang-bong: Collective power of fashion houses is more important than promoting top namesA veteran designer has taken on the challenge of unifying fashion designers here as part of an effort to connect different generations in the industry. “It’s about time. We have been talking about unifying the fashion sector since last year. Each designer has a role to play in the development of Korean fashion, but till now there has been no platform that allows us to play that role,” sa

May 14, 2012

The Seonggeo-san Catholic Church is located on the Seonggeo-san shrine near Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. The Seonggeo-san shrine is located two kilometers up along a mountain road. Nestled in the deep, isolated mountain, it is understandable that Korean Catholics hid here during the time of Catholic persecution. Every May, a wild flower festival is held here for a week ― the wild flowers are considered metaphors for the unnamed Catholic martyrs.The site of the Seonggeo-san shrine is a vi

May 13, 2012

Pioneering British celebrity hairdresser Vidal Sassoon died Wednesday aged 84 after a "long and courageous" battle with leukemia, his family said. Vidal Sassoon (AP-Yonhap News)The man credited with creating the modern bob haircut and relieving women from the rigors of old-fashioned perms was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed away at his home in Bel Air, California."It is with great sadn

May 10, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― Like bookends, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada sit at opposite ends of a long, elegant table for their chat. There are crystal wineglasses and an ornate chandelier. They cover fashion, of course, but get into broader topics of politics and exotic places, feminism and popular culture.The banter is lively, thoughtful and friendly, although sometimes they have very different opinions and aren’t afraid to voice them. Schiaparelli says the top of an outfit is the most important be

May 9, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― Tracing her working life from picking cherries as a preteen to the cover of Vogue, supermodel Linda Evangelista told a court Friday she can still command about $100,000 to walk a runway, though her career has slowed since its 1980s and `90s heyday.In an unusual peek into high fashion in Manhattan Family Court, Evangelista took the witness stand to begin telling her side of her child-support standoff with French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault.Their 5-year-old boy didn’t come u

May 7, 2012

A model wearing designs by Jenny Lee stands in a display during Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, Thursday, May 3, 2012. Lee used natural props including leaves and branches from native Australian trees such as Gum Trees. (AP) A model presents creations designed by South Korean Gabriel Lee during Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, Friday, May 4, 2012. (AP) A model displays a creation by Akaya Ich

May 7, 2012

Following is the first in a series of columns in which leading architects discuss their representative work. ― Ed.M+ is a building in a transitional location where different urban elements, such as luxury apartments, dilapidated low-rise housing, houses converted into offices and offices that double as residences all interact. M+ seeks to discover new possibilities within this transition. Like the colossal black obelisk in the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey,” M+ seeks to unearth hidden life in th

May 6, 2012

Vogue magazine, perhaps the world's top arbiter of style, is making a statement about its own models: Too young and too thin is no longer in. (AP-Yonhap News)The 19 editors of Vogue magazines around the world made a pact to project the image of healthy models, according to a Conde Nast International announcement Thursday.They agreed to ``not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or who ap

May 4, 2012

LONDON (AFP) ― A giant 3-D hologram of a burlesque dancer greeted footwear-lovers Monday at a playful London exhibition marking 20 years since celebrated French shoemaker Christian Louboutin first set up shop.The exhibition at London’s Design Museum features dozens of the Frenchman’s creations, many of them displayed on a 17-metre (56-foot) version of the famous scarlet sole that features every Louboutin shoe.Lashings of glitter, ruffles and feathers reflect Louboutin’s life-long fascination wi

May 2, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― The New York arts world has every kind of tribute; Galas are held virtually every night. But a tribute to a shoe company?Well, shoes are very important to dancers ― pointe shoes, ballet slippers, Broadway dance shoes, tap shoes. So it was an opportunity for dance ― loads and loads, of all varieties ― when Capezio celebrated its 125th anniversary Monday evening with a gala at New York City Center.The evening started with a New York institution: The Rockettes, in black and sequins,

April 25, 2012

The 400-year-old ``Beau Sancy,'' one of the world's oldest and most storied diamonds in private hands, is up for sale at Sotheby's auction house. Weighing in at 34.98 carats, the sparkling gem with a rare pear cut is expected to fetch up to $4 million. The Beau Sancy, a 34.98 carat diamond that will be put on sale by Sotheby`s auction house in Geneva next month, is presented in Paris, Monday. (AP-

April 24, 2012

For years, men’s options in accessorizing a suit have been limited to the cuff-link and tie bar department, with an occasional pocket square thrown in. But as of late, guys from Hollywood’s red carpet to the halls of “The Hunger Games’” Capitol have been accessorizing their jacket lapels with some cooler-than-usual lapel pins. For buttonhole hardware that’s less about political or charitable affiliation and more about personal style, options worth exploring include: Orvis’ selection of German ha

April 23, 2012

Latest beauty items from foundation vibrators, facial massage mask, to collagen jelly become market hits in 2012The country’s cosmetics industry may have attracted consumers with new colors, concepts and celebrity power so far. But companies are now adopting the latest technology to stimulate consumer curiosity and offer easier and more effective ways to apply everyday cosmetics.Leading the cosmetics market this year are vibrating foundation gadgets that help the skin absorb the foundation faste

April 20, 2012