Cosmetics Companies to Face New Rules in Europe

The European Parliament this week passed new rules stating that cosmetic products, including anti-aging creams and sunscreen lotions, will have to be more rigorously tested for safety before being sold in Europe as of 2012. The ruling passed 633-29 and will also streamline application procedures for testing and create a single European Union (EU)-wide register for all cosmetic products; labeling of ingredients will be mandatory as well. Green lawmaker Hiltrud Breyer said "[E]veryday cosmetic products containing nanomaterials ... will at last be subject to rules on authorization, safety testing and labeling." The EU governments backed the legislation over concerns that nanoparticles in cosmetics may be toxic. The European Cosmetics Association, an industry-backed organization, said it supported increased information to consumers. The article can be viewed online at the link below

Twitter Offers Paris Fashion Week Followers Runway Recaps In Real-Time

Paris, France (CNS) - A new way to catch a front seat to some of Paris Fashion Week's biggest runway shows... is Twitter. Yes, the new status update service is now being used by some of fashion's biggest followers to give rundowns of the most anticipated designer's collections while they're still on the runway. Fashion news site and blog SHOWstudio is offering updates and commentary right from its seats at the biggest runway shows in Fashion Week.

"He's doing twistef Romany folklore in a tunnel of snowflakes. Crazy gypsy dresses and coin headpieces," said one update from the Galliano show taking place today in Paris. The site is offering those who couldn't get seats to the runway shows quick "tweets" and pics from shows like Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, Viktor & Rolf.

They'll even give the thumbs up and the thumbs down on the presentation, before the models and the designer have given their final walk. However, a more in-depth review and pictures are added later on. "McQueen has dressed his set with a huge, hulking pile of rubbish and has sound effects of wuthering winds," said one update.

It's only the second week in March and Paris Fashion Week is debuting the Autumn/Winter collections, and the fashion world can hardly wait for the pictures and comments from fashion's biggest critics. SHOWstudio's Twitter alone has nearly 500 followers and even more just waiting for the latest 10-word brief from inside the show. With Twitter on the front lines of fashion's hottest runway shows, fans can have runway recaps in real-time.

Star brand underwear endorsement

Jennifer Lopez keeps jewels

NEW YORK - JENNIFER Lopez has kept $77,000 ($US50,000) worth of diamonds she borrowed from Robert Mouawad jewellery to wear to a fashion show.

A source told the New York Post on Thursday, "We received a call from her manager informing us that Jennifer was going to keep the jewellery.

'As far as Mr Mouawad is concerned, Jennifer can have whatever she wants, but a premature demand seemed presumptuous. He will lose no sleep over $US50,000, and frankly, Jennifer's endorsement is priceless." 

Jennifer's manager insists the star was given the jewellery for hosting the event. -- AP

Robot model debuts on Tokyo Fashion Week runway

Japan on Monday showcased its latest robotic creation: a futuristic catwalk model robot which aptly made its debut during Tokyo Fashion Week. 

She may be able to flash a smile, lower her eyelids and sashay along a catwalk unflustered by the crowds of camera-toting photographers. But this is no ordinary supermodel. 

Her silver and black frame may have been significantly less stylish than the more fashionable ensembles being displayed by real life models throughout the event.

However, the £1.37m HRP-4C humanoid was able to imitate the expressions, gait and poses of a supermodel due to battery-powered motors in her body and face.

Measuring a slightly short 5 ft 2 inches and weighing a model like 43 kg, the features of the robot were modelled on the wide-eyed characters popular in Japanese "anime" cartoons.

However, despite her apparent physical perfections, its creators at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) admitted that it had a long way to go before it would rival real life models.

"Our robot can't move elegantly like the real models that are here today," said Shuji Kajita, director of humanoid robot engineering AIST.

"It will take another 20 to 30 years of research to make that happen."

Japan is famous for its cutting-edge robotics industry and is home to nearly half of the world's 800,000 industrial robots, many of which are being developed to assist the nation's rapidly aging population

Beautiful fashion model stunner

The catwalk stunner, nicknamed The Body, will play 1980s supermodel Claudia who owns Focus Models, a top modelling agency. 

It's thought the character runs her business with the efficiency and toughness of a dictator.

The drama will revolve around a group of models living together in New York. 

Mischa Barton has also been lined up for a part, and is expected to play Sonja, a supermodel and veteran of the high-fashion circuit who is struggling to keep on top. 

Miami Fashion Week's yummy creation

She walks, talks, and smiles, can't do even the most basic housework, and will be appearing nude in a Tokyo fashion show. But HRP-4C isn't your typical model. 

You see, since she isn't ready to work alongside humans, helping them in any meaningful way, her developers thought she should set her sights lower and be a fashion model. I mean, sure, she's made mostly of plastic and doesn't eat anything, but modeling demands more than that. 

Like, say, height. And looks. "Even as a fashion model," says Hirohisa Hirukawa, "people in the industry told us she was short and had a rather ordinary figure."

So, her modeling dreams dashed, HRP-4C instead will be used mainly to entertain the masses. Hey, it's sort of like being a real model. Just ask the car show girls.

Oh, and that "runway hog" thing, that's totally not her fault. She's hasn't passed safety standards that would let her share the runway with humans.

Kidman in India to film action-adventure

Nicole Kidman flew in to the northern Indian town of Udaipur on Monday to shoot parts of her latest film, The Eighth Wonder.

Local officials said the Australian actor would be staying at the Lake Palace, the luxury hotel featured in the James Bond film Octopussy.

Showbiz websites say the new movie, due for release in 2010, is an archaeological action-adventure.