Rosa Cha at Claro Rio Summer 2008 Fashion Event

Brazil is not just one of the hottest travel destinations, but it is known for its hot fashion as well. For Claro Rio Summer 2008 fashion event, Amir Slama certainly spiced up the runway with his newest Rosa Cha collection in Forte de Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The collection features flowy beach cover ups, bandeau tops and a rich tempting color palette of pink, deep blue and exotic prints as well as shimmering silver. The runway was absolutely stunning as the models walked on water with their heels for a splashing hot runway show. You can watch the video of the runway show after the photos below.

Cha Claro Rio Summer 2008, Brazil

New French Manicure by Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent is recreating the well-known and most-loved French manicure for its new Holiday Bow Collection. The French fashion house, known for its exquisite French beauty line as well, is introducing some new modern chic on the infamous pink and white shades by substituting them with Deep Blue tips and Moonlight White bottoms, calling it “contemporary sophistication.” The two new shades of the brand’s La Laque polishes will be available in stores soon.

Shu Uemura Holiday Bright Make-Up Collection

Shu Uemura’s latest collection for the coming holidays is a rich palette of bright colors. Photographer Mika Ninagawa along with the artistic brand have created a fantastic collaboration of make-up. Delicious colors for the eyes, lips and nails combined with the unique packaging bring the warm artistic nature of the Tokyo photographer. This collection is sure to be a highlight for the fun holiday season and it is already available on their website. Featured below are two of the beauty products. The first one is the eye color palette “Adorned Marguerite” for a sweet and innocent look, featuring seven pressed eye shadows and one easy to spread cream liner in colors such as soft pink, blue, yellow and romantic violet. It is priced at $65. The second item is the mini gloss trio set called the “Delicious Rose.” It features a vinyl cosmetic pouch decorated with a photograph  of Mika Ninagawa. The mini glosses come in candy orange, candy pink and red and the price for this cute trio set is $40.

Karl Lagerfeld Designs French Larousse Dictionary

The 2009 edition of the famous French illustrated dictionary, Le Petit Larousse Illustré will be designed by Karl Lagerfeld. The designer’s love of books is not something surprising as his personal library is apparently the size of a ballroom. Karl illustrated the cover of the dictionary with original Larousse motif featuring La Semeuse, or the Seed-Scatterer, who is a beautiful woman blowing the seeds of knowledge. In Karl’s design, La Semeuse wears a pair of elegant blue, elbow length gloves. The outer black case of the dictionary features the photo-realistic sketch of the creative man himself, Lagerfeld accompanied by the silver phrase, “Habillé par Karl Lagerfeld,” which means “Dressed by Karl Lagerfeld.”

Le Petit Larousse Illustré is a must have for any French language lover or student of the romance language. It contains definitions of words combined with “little cultural edification” as well as explanations of various subjects. Although, anyone can look up Google or the internet in general for instant translations, Le Petit Larousse Illustré offers something extra with its French sense of humour and high cultural taste. In the 2009 edition, Karl Lagerfeld is featured in the proper nouns sections if the dictionary, which already includes Brad Pitt, Bjork and Marion Cotillard. According to WWD, the edition will be released on November 4th. It is already on my shopping list!

Caribbean Blue Beauty: Larimar

Larimar is one of the most unique and rare gemstones in the world as it can be found in only one location on our planet; the Dominican Republic. This Caribbean Island is a jewel on its own with its white, soft sandy beaches and unspoiled, rich nature but it is also the only home of the blue jewel beauty. The legend of Larimar has it that people on the island used to collect the blue gemstones on the beach until one day they could not find them anymore. Therefore, they started to explore upstream and came across a rock formation which was the source of the precious beauties. The natives called the stone “Blue Stone” as they believed that it came from the clear blue sea. But in 1974, the Dominican Miguel Méndez while walking on the Dominican beach saw a flash of the blue gemstone and called it Larimar, taking his daughter’s name Larissa and combining it with the Spanish word for sea “mar.”

Larimar is a variety of pectolite and it is thought that the stones may have formed as a result of volcanic eruptions. Although pectolites may be common, the unique blue color, also called the volcanic blue, is what makes Larimar so incredibly precious. The rare jewel is used in jewellery for necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets. It is usually combined with silver but higher grade stones can be also produced in gold. The colors of Larimar vary from white, light blue, green-blue and deep blue also known as volcanic blue. The quality grading is according to the color, with white being the lower grade and volcanic blue is the highest grade. Larimar is a true Caribbean beauty. Its blue charm and rare quality will make an everlasting impression on you and having this jewel will forever remind you of the turquoise waters of this far paradise.

Water Jewellery: Carolina Bucci Exclusive Limited Edition

The Florence-born and raised jewellery designer, Carolina Bucci has created a limited edition collection to support WaterAid’s work. WaterAid is a charity which helps some of the world’s poorest people to have access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. The exclusive jewellery Italian designer has created two pieces; a drop pendant necklace and a bracelet, both of which will be on sale from the end of July until the end of December of 2008.

The lucky tie bracelet is made of 18 carat gold and soft grey silk and it is priced at £295. Each bracelet bought would guarantee safe water and sanitation to a family of four. The drop shaped pendant necklace is made of 18 carat gold and covered with white and blue diamonds, costing £2595. An entire village is equipped with a lasting supply of safe water and sanitation when somebody buys one of these necklaces.

“I am really excited to be collaborating with WaterAid on these pieces of jewellery”, says Carolina. “WaterAid’s vision of a world where everyone has access to clean water and sanitation is one which I believe passionately in.”

The beautiful pieces are available from the Carolina Bucci boutiques, Browns and other selected retailers worldwide. For more information, visit her website.

Love Picks: Swarovski Rings

My favorite Swarovski jewellery are by far their rings. And I already have picked out my new favorites from their new collection. The first is the Forever Ring which is a stunning gold-plated ring with clear crystal all around and decorative cross-over detail with a glittering range of Golden Shadow crystal pave. It is priced at CAD $390. Worthy of a princess, this ring is a divine beauty.

The second one is the well-known classical Nirvana ring but this time it is surrounded by a gorgeous to-die-for Faceted Capri Blue Satin crystal over a silver-plated ring. It is priced at CAD $280.

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