Marc Jacobs brings big finale to NY Fashion Week

NEW YORK: Marc Jacobs drew a beautiful and audacious line Thursday under a New York Fashion Week that stood out for its optimism and bright yellows and oranges.

As he has in the past, Jacobs chose the Armory in southern Manhattan rather than the Fashion Week headquarters at the Lincoln Center for his Spring-Summer 2012 show.

The theatrical choreography saw about 50 unworldly outfits mixing materials and turning conventions upside down.

Cellophane for raincoats, fringed coats, fake crocodile for straight yellow or dark red skirts, sparkly turbans and loafers -- Jacobs was as innovative as ever, and that was before he unveiled the strange, transparent cowboy boots.

Nylon, cellophane, organza, silicone and silk socks to go with golden high heels were just some of the materials he used, setting up a show to delight the celebrity fan club, including Sofia Coppola and actress Elle Fanning.

Earlier Thursday, Ralph Lauren won lengthy standing ovations for his 1920s-inspired collection, recalling the "Great Gatsby" days of vintage jade silk chiffon dresses and high-waisted, side-button trousers.

Cloche hats, pinstriped blazers and flapper-style beaded gowns, including with an ostrich-feather headscarf, completed the look.

For all the fantasy, this was a Fashion Week that could not exclude the outside world.

It opened as New York marked the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks and Marc Jacobs asked to hold his preview until the end because of delays in preparations caused by Hurricane Irene.

There was also a whiff of scandal over the Guli collection from the daughter of Uzbekistan's authoritarian president Islam Karimov.

After human rights groups complained about her participation, the fashion week took the unusual measure of canceling the show.

Instead, the Guli collection, mostly flowing silk dresses, was unveiled in the chic Cipriani restaurant.

Overall this week, the colors were resolutely optimistic and sharp and a new tech-friendly approach allowed fashionistas to follow many collections live on their computers and phones, without having invitations to the Lincoln Center.

A newly pregnant Beyonce, Michael Douglas and Whoopie Goldberg were among the A-listers in the front rows.

London Fashion Week starts Friday and runs through September 21. (AFP)

Jackson killed by greed, medic's fault brother

LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson was driven to his death by a mix of greed, power and money, one of his brothers claimed Thursday, while saying the star's doctor "had no business" giving him the drug that killed him.

Speaking before the manslaughter trial of medic Conrad Murray kicks off this month, Jermaine Jackson said those surrounding his brother failed to look after him, as they pushed him to play a lucrative series of comeback gigs.

He described how his brother's health had clearly deteriorated in the months leading up to his death -- when he was rehearsing intensively for the This is It shows in London -- but those around him had not told the family.

"Why didn't somebody call me or Jackie or Tito or Marlon or his family, to say, 'Come down here, your brother is not acting normal?' Had we been called, he would be alive today. We would have taken him to the hospital," he said.

Asked why he thought they didn't, he told CNN interviewer Piers Morgan: "Because they wanted the show to go on... It's all about -- this is a story about greed and power and money. And not looking at the person in Michael."

Murray is due in court on September 27 for the long-awaited manslaughter trial over Jackson's death in June 2009 from an overdose of the powerful drug propofol, prescribed to help him sleep.

Jermaine Jackson said the doctor's lawyers would try to paint his brother as a drug addict, but dismissed a suggestion that Jackson -- who suffered from chronic insomnia -- could have forced Murray to give him more propofol.

The drug is so powerful that it is used as an anaesthetic during surgery, he noted, adding that as a cardiologist and not an anesthesiologist, Murray "had no business giving my brother propofol."

"Being a doctor, you take an oath to care for your patient not to kill
them," he added.

Jackson's death, on the eve of the planned series of comeback concerts at London's O2 Arena aimed at reviving his reputation and finances battered by child sex allegations, stunned fans around the world.

Murray's defense team is expected to argue that Jackson gave himself an excessive dose of the drug while the doctor was out of the room at the singer's mansion in the affluent Holmby Hills neighborhood west of Los Angeles. (AFP)

Ali Zafar in London, Paris, New York

Rose Movies and producer Goldie Behl along with Fox Star studios announced their upcoming flick London, Paris, New York here on Wednesday. The film stars Pakistani musician Ali Zafar and Aditi Rao and has been directed by debut director Anu Menon.

The film is a romantic comedy and it's a story about a couple who fall in love while visiting three of the most romantic places on earth; London, Paris and New York. "The story is very fresh. We have tried our level best to make it as realistic as possible. It deals in different emotions that people experience when they're in love. It is believable because it also talks about the pain and suffering of heartbreak," said Goldie.

The title is simple and says a lot about the movie. When asked about its significance, Ali Zafar said, "The title is an integral part of the film. It provides a backdrop to the love story and helps in portraying the characters' journey of love. It's all very natural and realistic. The movie is about Nikhil and Lalitha, two very different people who fall in love."

The music of the movie has been composed by Ali Zafar himself. In fact both the stars, Ali and Aditi, sing well and have sung in the film.

The movie has some intimate scenes between the two actors. But, according to Aditi, it is very different from the usual bollywood movies. "The scenes are very organic in nature. They are there because without them the story would feel incomplete. We have not forced sex scenes anywhere just because it is believed that sex sells. The scenes are beautiful and are lovely to watch," says Aditi.

The cast and crew just got done with the London chapter and if the chemistry shared between Ali and Aditi is anything to go by, this could be something to look forward to.

Shahid Kapoor over Ranveer Singh for Sonakshi Sinha

Body Sonakshi Sinha and Shahid Kapoor will come together for Sajid Nadiadwala's next project.

The yet untitled film will be directed by Sabbir Khan and is a romantic action flick. Interestingly, Sonakshi was supposed to sign a Yash Raj Films' venture with her new close friend Ranveer Singh. But the actress, deciding to keep her personal and professional separate, gave the YRF film a pass and chose the Shahid starrer instead.

A source informed Mumbai Mirror, "Sonakshi was offered a film opposite Ranveer Singh by YRF. It was supposed to be directed by Habib Faisal. However, Sonakshi has now decided to take on Sajid Nadiadwala's project instead. She has already given all her dates in January to Sajid."

Recent reports suggested that Sonakshi and Ranveer were more than just friends. The actors grew closer ever since their on-stage performance at a film awards ceremony in Toronto. "However, when it came down to her career, Sonakshi decided to opt for Shahid over Ranveer. She has given the same dates to Sajid that were required by YRF for the Ranveer starrer," added the source.

Talking about the Sajid's venture, the source added, "Sajid Nadiadwala has written the story and the screenplay of the film himself. Kambakkht Ishq director Sabbir Khan will direct it. Earlier too, Sabbir was to direct Heer Ranjha starring Shahid."

Despite repeated messages, Shahid Kapoor, Sajid Nadiadwala and Sonakshi Sinha remained unavailable for comments.

Rajinikanth's cameo RA One

In his first tryst with the camera after the bout of illness, Rajinikanth will do a guest appearance for Shah Rukh Khan in RA.One.

This will be a double whammy for millions of Rajini fans around the world, who had spent sleepless nights praying for their idol, and for SRK fans, who are waiting to see the romantic star in a never-before avatar. SRK has been maintaining that the film pays a tribute to the superstar's Robot.

Rajini will shoot in Hyderabad for a sequence that has been set in his honour, said sources close to the crew. Besides the first-ever Rajni-Shah Rukh pairing, the cameo will also mark the iconic star's return to form.

However, his family maintained that full-fledged shooting will commence only from November. "Rajini has recovered. He will resume full fledged shooting from November. Till then he will be on rest," the superstar's elder brother Satyanarayana Rao Gaekwad told this newspaper.

Sources close to the unit revealed that Rajini will shoot for the special sequence on October 4, at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. "In the sequence he will deliver his super-hit dialogue from the film Bhasha," added the source.

It is learnt that the scene has been dedicated to him and doffs a hat to his stardom and stature as an actor. Elaborating on the scene, a source said, SRK who is seen fighting a gang of villains faces another threat from a gang armed with deadly weapons.

At this critical point, Rajini makes an entry, 'Rajni Style' in a car. The super powered vehicle immediately sucks up all the weapons from the villains prompting SRK to ask Kareena, who that man in the car was. That's when Rajinikanth steps out and delivers his super- hit dialogue.

The sequence was originally meant to feature a Rajini lookalike. But SRK managed to convince the superstar to do the honours. Incidentally, RA.One will be released in Tamil and Telugu as well.

Did you know?
In July 2007, Shah Rukh Khan was signed on to play the male lead of Robot as well as be the producer for the project. In October, the same year, the deal was called off.

Rajinikanth is not the only one playing a cameo in RA.One. Sanjay Dutt and Priyanka Chopra have also made guest appearances in the film.

Sanjay Dutt sports a beefed up tattooed look in the superhero flick.

Both Dutt and Chopra play G.One's (SRK's character in the film) enemies. They are unleashed upon G.One by his main enemy RA.One (played by Arjun Rampal).

Atif Aslam performs Floyd "Wish you were here" with Slash & Other Guns N’ Roses Members

The Pakistani Rock Star, Atif Aslam, is living the dream of each n every musician. He recently performed in New York’s Best Buy Theatre, the epic hit single

“Wish you were here” by Pink Floyd live with musicians like Slash, Matt Sorum, Gilby Clarke as well as with Shaun Lenon and Lanny Cordolla.

Atif perhaps never dreamed that one day he’ll play with the biggest musicians of the world. This moment and achievement is definitely worth a cheer! Our own Pakistani Music and Pakistani Singers are rocking the world out.

Check out this historical performance below:

Atif Aslam Performs - Wish You Were Here - With Guns N' Roses In New York (13th Sep 2011)

Feathers and fur fly at New York Fashion Week

NEW YORK: Michael Kors brought a taste of Africa to his spring 2012 collection Wednesday, while J Mendel brought out white furs for the penultimate day of New York Fashion Week.

The catwalk could have been called the big cat walk as Kors, in the 30th year of his label, presented "memories of Africa."

Models came out in coats, dresses, shorts and jacket that evoked the safari theme, whether in zebra stripes, leopard print, or khaki that at times seemed authentic to the point of looking dirty and beaten-up.

A leopard dress decorated with russet feathers, ponchos with African prints, Spartan sandals, snakeskin patterns, big leather belts and oversized shoulder bags -- this was a collection for the roughest and toughest of fashionistas.

Models may have been smiling at times, but there were holes in their cashmere outfits -- carefully created holes, of course.

Actor Michael Douglas sat in the first row alongside model Rosie-Huntington Whiteley and actress Zoe Saldana. Rocker Courtney Love was also taking in fashion at the Lincoln Center in central Manhattan.

Nanette Lepore splashed hot pink, yellows and oranges into her collection, building on this year's tendency for bright colors.

And while the fashion world wondered whether Madonna will finally sign with Coty to create a perfume, Norma Kamali treated onlookers to a 3D video runway show with special glasses.

There was a more classic look at J Mendel, with long black and white dresses, and plenty of bare backs.

In keeping with the traditions of the label, founded in Paris in 1870, designer Gilles Mendel threw in little sleeveless boleros of white or blue fur.

Fashion week in the Big Apple ends Friday with Marc Jacobs, who asked for a delay in his scheduled appearance because of the recent Hurricane Irene. Shows from Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein are also still on the program. (AFP)