Academy Award Nominated Costume Designer Arianne Phillips Honored with “Creative Visionary Award”

Posted on October 3, 2024 by admin

Costume Designer Arianne Phillips;
Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels

The 25th Newport Beach Film Festival (NBFF) and NBFF Premiere Partner, Fashion Island will be honoring 3x Academy Award-nominated costume designer, Arianne Phillips with the esteemed Creative Visionary Award during Fashion Island’s 13th Annual StyleWeekOC on October 19. This accolade recognizes artists for exceptional creative leadership and impact within their field. The award will be presented by actress Aubrey Plaza (“Megalopolis,” “The White Lotus”) followed by a panel moderated by Costume Designer Guild’s communications director Anna Wyckoff, where they will explore Arianne’s unique perspectives on the intersection of fashion and film.

“I’m so thankful to the Newport Beach Film Festival and Fashion Island for this wonderful honor and for acknowledging the art of costume design and our contribution to filmmaking. I am especially grateful to be recognized for my work this year on “Joker: Folie á Deux” and “A Complete Unknown.” I’m humbled to be included alongside such exciting talent at the festival this year,” said Arianne.

On October 28, Arianne will be attending the SCAD Savannah Film Festival where she will join Variety Artisans Editor, Jazz Tangcay for the festival’s annual “Behind Her Lens” panel along with a conversation following a screening of Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie à Deux on October 29.

On November 1, Arianne is set to receive the Precious Gem Award at Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival GEMS. The Precious Gem Award is the festival’s signature award, reserved for one-of-a-kind artists whose contributions to cinema are lasting and unforgettable.
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Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel Crowned Miss Universe 2022

Posted on January 14, 2023 by admin

Miss Universe

Fashion designer and model Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel has been crowned as the new Miss Universe on Saturday night, held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

This makes her the first Miss USA to wear the crown since Olivia Culpo in 2012. According to thee Miss Universe organization, R’Bonney is an eco-friendly fashion designer, model, and sewing instructor with an excitement for life. She attributes her opportunistic outlook to her upbringing immersed in the arts, sports, and travel.

During the Q&A portion of the three finalists, Gabriel was asked how she would represent Miss Universe “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win, to which she replied: “I would use it to be a transformational leader,” she responded, citing her background in fashion design as a teacher in the field.

The 28 years old, competed against 83 other participants from around the world. First runner Up went to Miss Venezuela’s Amanda Dudamel, withh Dominican Republic’s Andreina Martinez winning second runner up.

The pageant also included a costume show portion, wherein Gabriel’s outfit paid tribute to NASA’s Apollo 11 lunar landing.

Last year’s winner was Harnaaz Sandhu of India was in attendance to pass her crown and title of Miss Universe to her successor. Former Miss USA and Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and TV host Jeannie Mai Jenkins hosted the event which comprised of swimsuit, evening gown and interview portions.

Miss Universe 2023 Will Be Live-Streamed For The First Time On Roku Channel

Posted on December 27, 2022 by admin

The upcoming 71st Miss Universe competition is set to make its move to the streaming world, to Roku Channel specifically.

The streaming service, owned and operated by Roku, Inc., has sealed a one-year deal which will be the official English-language home for the Miss Universe pageant.

“For the first time ever, Americans are watching more streaming TV than cable,” Amy Emmerich, CEO at The Miss Universe Organization, said in a statement. “With this profound shift in the way audiences watch content underway, we’re thrilled to partner with Roku to bring the competition to the streaming world and reach previously untapped audiences across the United States.”

The 71st Miss Universe is also set to stream in Spanish on Telemundo.

Two months ago, on October 26, 2022, the Thailand-based JKN Global Group Co.Ltd., owned by Anne Jakrajutatip, purchased the Miss Universe Organization from WME/IMG.

The 3-hour long broadcast is set to be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 14, 2023.

14th Austin Fashion Week Releases Schedule And Talents List

Posted on April 22, 2022 by admin

Now on its 14th year, Austin Fashion Week is set to feature a lineup of designs during three days of fashion shows and popup shops in support of local designers.

Founded by Matt Swinney, Austin Fashion Week Spring 2022 marks the return to the runway for the annual design showcase. The event is set to kick off with Fleming’s Lunch on Friday, April 29, featuring Project Runway star Brittany Allen and hosted by founding Editor-In-Chief/Creative Director of Society Texas, Lance Avery Morgan.

Runway shows will be held starting Friday, April 20, followed by shows on Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1, 2022, with each benefitting various charities.

The shows will be in person and outdoors at The Domain, the high-density office, retail, and residential center at 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin, Texas.

For more details and tickets, go to https://fashionbyevents.com. Popup shops are open to all gusts, ticketed or not.

“Marking The Cut” Season 3 Renewed At Amazon

Posted on April 13, 2022 by admin

Prime Video’s reality television series “Making The Cut”, is set to return for its third season. Hosted and executive produced by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, the fashion competition series is set to premiere this summer.

The third season is set to feature 10 fashion designers and entrepreneurs from around the world to compete for $1 million, a mentorship with Amazon Fashion, and an opportunity to create an exclusive co-brand with Amazon Fashion and sell their existing collection in Amazon Fashion’s Making the Cut store.

“I am excited for ‘Making the Cut’ to return this summer for its third season,” Klum said. “I was so happy to be reunited with Tim, Nicole and Jeremy as we searched for the next great global fashion brand among our most talented group of designers yet! This season’s fashion far exceeded our expectations and there are so many amazing looks that I cannot wait to wear myself.”

Tim Gunn added, “After watching the success of our past designers, including winners Andrea Pitter and Jonny Cota, I’m tremendously excited for fans to see what this season’s enormously talented group of designers has in store.”

The series is executive produced by Sara Rea, Sue Kinkead, Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, and Jennifer Love, and is produced by Hello Sunshine and Amazon Studios.

“Making the Cut” is produced by Hello Sunshine and Amazon Studios, and it is executive produced by Sara Rea, Sue Kinkead, Klum, Gunn and Jennifer Love.

What’s next for Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman

Posted on May 13, 2020 by admin

Neiman Marcus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday, in hopes of charting a new path forward at a time of significant disruption for fashion retail.

The luxury department-store group, which also operates Bergdorf Goodman and the e-commerce platform MyTheresa.com, has struggled in recent years under more than $5 billion in debt stemming from leveraged buyouts in 2005 and 2013. Despite current temporary store closures and widespread economic uncertainty, the company says it plans to exit bankruptcy in the fall stronger and more financially stable than when it went in.

The news capped off a week of bankruptcy announcements from major players in fashion retail, with J.Crew Group Inc. and Aldo Group Inc. likewise seeking court protection. Like Neiman, they were already facing financial challenges before Covid-19 hit and the stress became insurmountable.

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Miss South Africa Is 2019 Miss Universe

Posted on December 8, 2019 by admin

By Armando

Miss South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi, was crowned Miss Universe.
Photo: Armando (aiphotoimaging.com

Zozibini Tunzi was crowned as the new Miss Universe after impressing the judges on her final question and answer portion, as well as her beauty and grace during the swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Miss Mexico and Miss Puerto Rico were the two runners-up.

“I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my color skin, and my kind of hair is not considered beautiful,” Tunzi said on Sunday. “I think it is time that stops today. I want children to look at my face and I want them to see their face reflected in mine.”

Tunzi is an activist against gender violence. According to the Miss Universe organization, she is a “proud advocate for natural beauty and encourages women to love themselves the way they are.”

During final question and answer portion, Zozibini was asked about what we should teach today’s young girls, to which she replied: “I think the most important thing we should be teaching young girls today is leadership. It’s something that has been lacking in young girls and women for a very long time, not because we don’t want to, but because of what society has labelled women to be,” she said.

“I think we are the most powerful beings on the world, and that we should be given every opportunity. And that is what we should be teaching these young girls, to take up space, Tunzi added”

The event was held on Sunday at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. During the press conference, Tunzi added that it was “very special” to win the crown at the major studio complex owned by an African-American.

Miss Universe 2019 Pre-Show Arrivals
Photos: Armando (aiphotoimaging.com)

Miss Universe 2019 Press Junket

Posted on December 5, 2019 by admin

By Armando

Miss Iceland at 2019 Miss Universe press junket
Photo: AI PHOTO IMAGING
aiphotoimaging.com

Miss Universe 2019 contestants took time out early morning on Thursday to meet with the press at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ahead of this Sunday’s pageant finals, the contestants answered questions from the media during the early morning event.

Although almost everyone made a great impression, some of the standouts (from talking to the press in attendance) include Miss Iceland, Miss South Africa, Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Vietnam. Towards the end of the event, reining Miss Universe Catriona Gray arrived and fielded questions from the press.

Photo: Armando (aiphotoimaging.com)

The day also featured the unveiling of a new Miss Universe crown by luxury jeweler and new crown sponsor Mouawad. The crown was unveiled by Mouawad co-guardian Pascal Mouawad, Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart, along with current pageant titleholder Catriona Elis Gray.

Delegates from 90 countries and territories is set to compete for this year’s Miss Universe beauty pageant. Up next for the candidates will be the preliminary competition that’s set to be held on Friday, December 6. Miss Universe Catriona Gray is also set to appear in the Atlanta Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Miss Universe 2019 will be held this Sunday December 8, 2019 at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia and will air live at 7/6c on FOX. Steve Harvey is set to return as host.

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Momentum Pictures Announce NEKROTRONIC With Monica Bellucci

Posted on June 13, 2019 by admin

Momentum Pictures has announce the release date for NEKROTRONIC, the latest comedy, horror, sci-fi starring Monica Bellucci (The Matrix: Reloaded, Mozart in the Jungle) and David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings).

The film is set for release on select theaters, VOD and digital HD on August 9, 2019.

Directed by Kiah Roache-Turner (Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead) from a script written by Kiah Roache-Turner, Tristan Roache-Turner (Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead), the film co-stars Ben O’Toole (Hacksaw Ridge, The Water Diviner), Caroline Ford (Amazon’s Carnival Row, TV’s Once Upon a Time), Tess Haubrich (The Wolverine, Alien: Covenant), and Epine Bob Savea.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis
Howard North, a down on his luck sewage worker, gets dragged into a global conflict between the Nekromancers, a family of badass demon hunters, and Finnegan (Monica Bellucci) – an evil demon who absorbs people’s souls to increase her power. When Howard finds out the truth behind Finnegan’s past and her dark plans for the future, he teams up with his new friends to discover he is the ultimate Nekromancer, the only one with the power to defeat her and save the world.

Miss Kansas Is 2018 Miss Teen USA

Posted on May 19, 2018 by admin

By Armando

Miss Kansas Teen Hailey Colborn is crowned Miss Teen USA 2018

17-year-old Hailey Colborn from Kansas has been crowned Miss Teen USA, held last night at Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana.

A total of 51 contestants from 50 states and the District of Columbia competed for the crown, which was later narrowed down to top 15 and top 10. In addition to Miss Kansas, rounding out the top 5 were Miss Illinois Teen Sydni-Dion Bennett, Miss Colorado Teen Chloe Zambrano, Miss South Carolina Teen Kirby Elizabeth Self and Miss North Carolina Teen Kaaviya Sambasivam. Miss Congeniality award went to Kennedy Cromeens of Alabama.

Before the show started, Miss Teen USA 2017 Sophia Dominguez-Heithoff gave a heartfelt speech about the Santa Fe High School shooting which happened earlier in the day.

The question and answer portion had an interesting twist this year: to celebrate its 35th anniversary, the top 5 contestants were asked questions that were posed to past winners. The contestants also competed in active wear and in evening gown.

Meanwhile, Miss USA 2018 is set to take lace on Monday, May 21, 2018 at the Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, Louisiana, making it the first time that Miss Teen USA and Miss Teen USA are held concurrently. Miss USA 2018 will be hosted by Vanessa and Nick Lachey.

The 2018 Miss Teen USA was hosted by Cecilio Asuncion and Erin Lim. See some of the photos from the pageant below.

Photos by: aiphotoimaging.com