posted by admin on May 26
Academy Award-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow has joined the bandwagon of celebrities branching out to the field of fashion design by coming up with a limited-edition swimwear line.
The actress, who will be seen in the sequel of “Iron Man,” created the line for retailer store Lilly Pulitzer in celebration of its 50th anniversary. This was made under the store’s “A Colorful Cause: Celebrity Designer Program.” The program aims to raise funds for charity The Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation.
Interested buyers can acquire her swimwear at Lilly Pulitzer stores or at the retailer’s online site.
Also signing up for this goodwill project are actresses Bridget Moynahan, Debra Messing, Marcia Cross and Brooke Shields. The proceeds is used for research to combat the rare children’s skin disease.
Aside from the swimwear collection, Paltrow has joined forces with a fashion house in France to design her very own collection for the upcoming Autumn and Winter season. The range will be called ZOEtee’s Love Gwyneth and is expected to have a preview in the coming months. The collection includes, bridal lingerie, inderwear, jerseys and tailored designs for men.
“Iron Man 2,” which stars Paltrow and Robert Downey, Jr. is slated for release next year.
posted by admin on May 21
International Swimming Federation or FINA has reportedly rejected about ten advanced men’s swimwear proposed for use in upcoming swimming competitions. Australian coach Alan Thompson said on Wednesday that this development would mean difficulty in upholding the new world records set by two swimmers from France.
The ruling body made the decision to reject the men’s swimwear on Tuesday. Included in the ban are swimwear made from polyurethane, the same material worn by French swimmers Alain Bernard and Fred Bousquet. The two swimmers set world records during a competition in Montpellier in France last month.
Bousquet and Bernard used an Arena “X-Glide” swimwear that propelled them to set 50 meters and 100 meters world records respectively. The previous record holder was Eamon Sullivan of Australia.
However, with the decision at hand, it’s highly possible that the new records will be voided as FINA recognized that the swimwear technology aided the players’ wins and not solely by athlete’s achievement.
The men’s swimwear can still be approved if necessary alterations will be made subject to the approval by FINA. In July, the Rome World Championships will take place and the swimsuits can be used if the stamp of approval has been made.
posted by admin on May 13
Apparel giant Columbia Sportswear Co. reported last week that its net income for the first quarter of this year dropped about 65 percent due to slump in sales and stronger U.S. currency. Despite this development, the sportswear maker said that it did better than the expectations by the Wall Street.
However, a weak second quarter performance is expected thus dropping its shares to about $34 in last week’s trade. Several retail companies have reported major drops in sales for the past months and Columbia is not an exception. Especially in sportswear: swimwear, running gear, sports bras, running shoes etc. In second quarter, the company expects another 20 percent decline in net sales, part of it will be from shipment timing. Analysts predict a ten percent decline but the company estimated more.
Columbia Sportswear’s first quarter net income logged at $6.9 million which is a sharp drop from the same quarter last year which was $19.9 million. Net sales dropped to $272 million, about 9 percent lower from last year.
The noted declines came from Europe, Africa and Middle East region – a total of 24 percent slump. Sales in the United States were slightly affected. Net sales for sportswear slid 14 percent while footwear sales dropped 22 percent.
posted by admin on May 8
Two-time Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks revealed that he sported a Speedo swimwear in one of the scenes of the upcoming film “Angels and Demons,” saying that it does take a “real man” to wear this and still be prepared to work.
In an interview with Radio Times, Hanks said that in the past he felt insecure about his acting, which led to lack of confidence at one point. He added that he immediately pounced on film offers just for the money. However, things changed as the years go by.
Hanks became the only the second actor in Oscars history to have lifted the Best Actor trophy for two consecutive years. The awards were for his impressive portrayals in the movie “Philadelphia” and “Forest Gump.”
This month, Hanks will be seen once more portraying the role of Robert Langdon in the movie adaptation of “Angels And Demons.” It was during then he said that he’s already toned down on the vain side, saying that he already learned to accept what he looks like.
In one of the significant scenes of the film, Hanks went swimming only wearing the Speedo swimwear.