Cheryl Burke Wearing Cynthia Rowley and TACORI

Cheryl Burke wore Cynthia Rowley and TACORI while on New York Live this afternoon! The Dancing With The Stars pro accessorized her Cynthia Rowley dress with TACORI's Black Onyx Bangle (style no. SB16019, $1,050) and Black Onyx Ring (style no. SR14719, $1,840; www.tacori.com).  

Macy's and Bloomingdale's to open Stores in Abu Dhabi

Macy's, Inc. today announced that Macy's and Bloomingdale's stores plan to open in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2018 as part of a strategic partnership with Al Tayer Group LLC, a leading UAE-based company with diversified businesses. This will be Macy's first international store location and the second for Bloomingdale's.

The Macy's and Bloomingdale's stores will anchor Al Maryah Central, a new super-regional shopping destination on Al Maryah Island being developed by Gulf Related, a joint venture between Related Companies and Gulf Capital. The 3.1-million-square-foot mixed-use development will include retail, cafés and restaurants, extensive entertainment options, a cinema, health club, luxury hotel and residential towers.

The Macy's (205,000 square feet on four levels) and Bloomingdale's (230,000 square feet on four levels) stores will offer a merchandise assortment, ambience and customer service similar to each brand's shopping experience in the United States, while also being sensitive to local preferences and customers. The stores will be operated by Al Tayer Group under license agreements with Macy's, Inc. Al Tayer Group also opened and operates the highly successful Bloomingdale's which opened in Dubai in 2010.

"As a spectacular new world-class shopping destination, Al Maryah Central provides an outstanding opportunity to introduce Macy's to customers who live and work in the booming UAE market, as well as to visitors who come from around the world for events, business and holidays," said Terry Lundgren, Macy's, Inc. chairman and chief executive officer. "Macy's and Bloomingdale's already are well known globally. They are destinations for international tourists to the United States and play an important role in popular culture domestically and globally.

"We are continuing to study various international markets and to better understand how customers worldwide shop in stores, online and via mobile. While macys.com and bloomingdales.com have been selling online in about 100 nations since 2011, we are especially interested in the omnichannel dynamics of worldwide markets, and the role that physical stores play in that equation. While we continue to evaluate store development opportunities around the world, we are committing now to take advantage of this unique opportunity in Abu Dhabi with two partners who we know very well, Al Tayer Group and Gulf Related, with the development of Al Maryah Central," Lundgren said.
"Bloomingdale's has been a standout success in Dubai, and we look forward to expanding our business into Abu Dhabi," said Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Bloomingdale's. "Customers in the UAE have come to recognize Bloomingdale's for the high quality of designers and luxury goods we sell in an attentive high-service environment. We take great pride in making Bloomingdale's like no other store in the world. Al Tayer Group has been a tremendous partner that shares Bloomingdale's high standards."

"We are delighted to extend our successful partnership with Macy's Inc., with the launch of Macy's and Bloomingdale's in Abu Dhabi. Having recorded almost five successful years with Bloomingdale's-Dubai, we are confident that the offering from Macy's will have an equally strong appeal in the Middle East region. Both Macy's and Bloomingdale's have entrenched themselves as market leaders in department store retailing in the U.S., and we look forward to delivering the same unrivalled shopping experience to customers in Abu Dhabi," said Khalid Al Tayer, CEO - Retail, Al Tayer Group.

About Macy's, Inc.

Macy's, Inc., with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York, is one of the nation's premier retailers, with fiscal 2013 sales of $27.931 billion. The company operates about 840 stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names of Macy's and Bloomingdale's, as well as the macys.com and bloomingdales.com websites. The company also operates 13 Bloomingdale's Outlet stores. Bloomingdale's in Dubai is operated by Al Tayer Group LLC under a license agreement.

About Al Tayer Group

Al Tayer Group is a diversified regional business established in 1979 with its headquarters in Dubai, UAE. Since its inception, the Group has grown rapidly and currently operates in 12 countries in the Middle-East and beyond. It has built leading operations in multiple sectors, including automotive, contracting, distribution, retail, and services.

Al Tayer Group represents over 600 global leading brands that span from Ferrari, Ford, Land Rover and Jaguar, among others, in the automotive sector to brands like ABB and Danzas in services.
In retail, Al Tayer Group has firmly anchored its position as a leader in the Middle East through the representation of major brands such as Alexander McQueen, Boucheron, Bottega Veneta, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Emilio Pucci, Giorgio Armani and Jimmy Choo, to name but a few. Al Tayer Group is also responsible for opening and operating the largest Harvey Nichols outside the United Kingdom as well as the first Bloomingdale's stores outside the United States. Complementing its position in luxury retail, the Group's portfolio also includes leading lifestyle brands such as Gap, Banana Republic and Crate and Barrel. The Group also has Joint Ventures with Bulgari, Gucci, Prada and Saint Laurent. The retail division represents over 35 of the world's most renowned brands and operates over 200 stores in the region.

About Gulf Related

Gulf Related is a regional real estate development company focused on retail, residential and high-end mixed-use real estate developments in the Middle East. Gulf Related represents a joint-venture between Gulf Capital, one of the Middle East's leading alternative asset management firms, and Related Companies, one of the largest private real estate development and investment firms in the United States. The Gulf Related team leverages its core competencies from Related in real estate planning, development and management; while Gulf Capital brings strong regional relationships, access to deal flow, and fund raising capabilities. Gulf Related is focused on pursuing marquee large-scale mixed-use real estate development opportunities in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

All statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Macy's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this release because of a variety of factors, including conditions to, or changes in the timing of, proposed transactions, prevailing interest rates and non-recurring charges, competitive pressures from specialty stores, general merchandise stores, off-price and discount stores, manufacturers' outlets, the Internet, mail-order catalogs and television shopping and general consumer spending levels, including the impact of the availability and level of consumer debt, the effect of weather and other factors identified in documents filed by Macy's, Inc. with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Elle Fanning in New Orleans

Elle Fanning was photographed wearing STRÖM Brand on September 23rd in New Orleans.  The newly brunette star enjoyed a day of sightseeing in her Femton Boyfriends in Swirl ($210, www.strombrand.com).

James Avery Jewelry at Dillard's

James Avery, a family-owned jewelry retailer, announces a new business relationship with Dillard's, Inc. (DDS: NYSE, "Dillard's"). Beginning in mid-October 2014, a selection of James Avery jewelry will be showcased at 43 Dillard's Department Stores within 15 states and online at www.dillards.com.
James Avery Jewelry offers a comprehensive collection of designs for women and men that are unique to the marketplace and crafted in sterling silver, gold, and gemstones. The jeweler is widely recognized for its inspiring traditional collections, contemporary new designs, and its extensive offering of keepsake charms.

Chris Avery, President and CEO, comments: "As we enter our 60th year, we are very pleased to be entering this relationship with Dillard's, a company that shares our values of integrity, ingenuity, and a commitment to genuine, caring customer service.  We are looking forward to working with the Dillard's team to offer customers a nice selection of artfully crafted James Avery designs."
Dillard's Vice President Merchandising, William Dillard, III, stated, "We could not be more excited to bring James Avery to our customers. I've admired the brand for years. As I've gotten to know them over the past months, my respect for who they are and the integrity of what they do has only deepened. We are confident they will be a great fit in our stores and our customers will love their products as much as we do."

About James Avery Jewelry

Established in 1954, the company has grown over the last 60 years from a one man endeavor in a garage, into a team of over 2,000 employees including designers, craftspeople, sales associates, and support staff. Designs are originated by artisans in the James Avery   design studio and then finely crafted and produced by skilled individuals at the company's five workshops.  More information about James Avery is available online at www.jamesavery.com/about or on Facebook www.facebook.com/JamesAvery.


About Dillard's

Dillard's, Inc. ranks among the nation's largest fashion apparel, cosmetics and home furnishings retailers with annual revenues exceeding $6.2 billion. The Company focuses on delivering maximum fashion and value to its shoppers by offering compelling selections complemented by exceptional customer care. Dillard's stores offer a broad selection of merchandise and feature products from both national and exclusive brand sources. The Company operates 278 Dillard's locations and 18 clearance centers spanning 29 states plus an Internet store at www.dillards.com. For more information, visit Dillards.com.

Malin Akerman in Lily Skinny Straights

Malin Akerman was photographed wearing Level 99 in Los Angeles last month. The Swedish beauty rocked the Lily Skinny Straights in Crawford while out and about with her son. 

A favorite among celebrities, this style has been seen on Jessica Alba, January Jones, Alessandra Ambrosio and Ashley Benson ($125, www.level99jeans.com)

For Fall 2014, Level 99 launched a high waisted version of this style, the Tanya High Rise Skinny in Crawford ($130).

Olivia Palermo’s Engagement Ring

There’s certainly been buzz around the spotting of Olivia Palermo’s engagement ring. Since her engagement and her nuptials, which happened just weeks ago, the public hasn’t been able to get a glance of the ring, but finally, they have! The yellow square-cut diamond looks elegant and timeless, and has certainly brought to life a trend for the bride-to-be. From Carrie Underwood to Kelly Clarkson to Adele, these ladies are sporting the color yellow as their “pop of color.” Want something similar? Harry Kotlar, the premier source for the highest quality and finest cut diamonds, has some spectacular options. Varying in price and cut, Harry Kotlar, has a ring for everyone and anyone looking for this certain sparkle (www.harrykotlar.com). 

Noelle Reno at Blue & Cream

Noelle Reno from Bravo TV’s Ladies of London and LuLu's Estate Jewelry will be hosting a pop-up event at Blue & Cream in East Hampton, August 23rd 2014 from 6 to 8 PM. LuLu’s Estate Jewelry is a fourth generation family-owned  business which curates an exclusive and diversified collection, including heritage pieces dating back to 1920s art deco to contemporary “must haves” from the prestigious houses of Cartier, Tiffany, Bulgari and Rolex. 

Don’t miss this one-time event or you might miss a one-of-a-kind piece! 

Alessandra Ambrosio Wearing Pheel

Alessandra Ambrosio was photographed wearing her pheel Go-2-Pants ($87) in Los Angeles earlier this week! This is at least the third time the supermodel mom has been spotted in the brand. She was previously  photographed in the same to Go-2-Pants and then again wearing the pheel Getaway Pant ($87) and Pheather tank ($47) (www.pheel.com).

See more fashion blog posts about Alessandra Ambrosio here on the Fashion Salad.

Jeans Fit Better Than Marriage

Joe's Jeans founder appears to unfortunately be getting divorced.  Fortunately the jeans he created fit better than the marriage.

Joe Dahan's wife, Ambre, filed to end their marriage, citing the usual irreconcilable differences.

Joe, who turned the company into a juggernaut, we guess to be worth a nice sum of money.

Ambre wants a piece of the action ... she's gunning for spousal support and wants joint custody of their 2 kids which are the ages 5 and 3.

They married in 2006.  We wish Joe, Ambre, and the entire family the best during this challenging time.

We learned of this news from TMZ.  Tune in to TMZ on TV weekdays Monday through Friday check http://www.tmz.com for more news about fashion companies and celebrities.

Bohemian Beach Cover Ups for Summer 2014

Make sure you’re covered up with Milk the Goats bohemian finds! All retail under $100 and are flirty, fun, colorful and lightweight…perfect for the beach (www.milkthegoat.com)! Be in touch if you’re interested in more information about Milk the Goat.

FOB Direct Using PLM Software from WFX

FOB Direct has been in fabric and garment manufacturing in China and other countries for over 25 years. The company supplies to department stores, specialty chain stores, brands and wholesalers with clients across UK, USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Managing production of good quality garments and fabrics from China and Asia is the key area that the company wanted to strengthen through implementation of new technology.

FOB Direct used two in-house custom built systems for over a decade. Managing the customization was slow, expensive and running servers for remote access was a financial drain. FOB Direct felt a Cloud-based system was required to successfully coordinate the complex business operations across regions and to save on the IT Infrastructure costs. FOB Direct chose WFX because it did much more than what their present systems did, at half the cost and was also on the cloud.

"For a complete system that saves on having to run servers and at a totally affordable cost on a per user basis WFX ticks all the boxes."

"We chose WFX because it is a complete end-to-end product life-cycle solution with a fully integrated task management by exception. It offers multi-currency costing and a good T&A system. Our staff is able to view the entire production operation and can easily assign tasks to other users. Management now has a quick overview of over-due and one-time tasks on their screen. The online training of WFX and support has been excellent and far better than I have seen from other companies and is very user friendly."- says Warren Bird, Owner.

FOB Direct manufactures fabric and garments for clients worldwide. The company is dedicated to ensuring their global clients benefit from the powerful ability FOB has to source quality suppliers who deliver in quantity and on time. It is recognized as a company that can achieve these goals providing the perfect partnership of Western ingenuity combined with Chinese adaptability.

FOB Direct trade throughout the world, negotiating the price and managing the production of good quality garments and fabrics out of China and Asia.

FOB Direct specialist product category is casual active wear across mainstream markets. The major category is swimwear from infants to adults. Their core lines include printed tees, hooded sweatshirts.

About WFX

WFX stands for World Fashion Exchange Inc. The company is a leader in the Cloud based Fashion PLM & ERP market with clients across multiple continents. Its main product is the WFX Fashion PLM & ERP system, which has over 15,000 users across 400 fashion companies.

WFX’s cloud-based delivery platform requires no investment in hardware, software, or IT infrastructure and requires no IT support. WFX PLM & ERP allows fashion companies to gain efficiencies throughout the product lifecycle which reduce costs, improve quality, shorten time to market, and increase profitability.  www.wfxondemand.com

Read more fashion industry technology blog posts on Apparel Search.

Macy's Back-to-School Fashion 2014

Macy's is gearing up for the 2014 back-to-school season with the latest trends and incredible promotions, all in time to have school-goers prepped, packed and looking smart as school begins this fall. 

"As the shopping destination for moms, kids and college students, Macy's offers the latest fashions at affordable prices for all kids going back-to-school this season," said Martine Reardon, Macy's chief marketing officer. "As children get ready for the classroom, it is often a busy time for parents too. At Macy's, we have great fashion and finds -- across apparel, shoes, home and accessories, all under one roof to make shopping stress-free."

Back-to-School Sales
Shop Macy's this season and receive an "A" in style and savings on the best brands at affordable prices. From wardrobe staples like denim, sneakers and backpacks from Levi's, American Rag, Nike and more, to items that help maximize space in your dorm room, Macy's has something to fit everyone's back-to-school checklist this fall. From July 23 through Sept. 7, visit a local Macy's store and macys.com for fun-filled events and savings including:

Junior Girls:

• $14.99 (Reg. $24) Screen tees from Pretty Rebellious, Awake and more
• $34.99 (Reg. $46) Levi's jeans
• $24.99 (Reg. $44) Basic colored jeans from Celebrity Pink
• $29.99 (Reg. $49) High-waist jeans from Tinseltown and Celebrity Pink
• $24.99 (Reg. $39) Soft pants from Stoosh, Rewash and more
• $19.99 (Reg. $29) Cropped tops from Planet Gold, Self Esteem and more

Handbags:

• 25 percent off backpacks from Kipling, Madden Girl, Nine West and more. (Reg. $54 - $119)

Shoes:

• $29.99-59.99 (Reg. $39-69) Boots from Rampage, American Rag and Madden Girl
• $29.99-39.99 (Reg. $39-49) Fashion sneakers from G by Guess and XOXO
• $49.99-$59.99 (Reg. $59-$69) Wedge shoes from Chinese Laundry and Material Girl

Young Men's:

• $39.99 (Reg. $58) Levi's jeans (through 9/1/14)
• $14.99 (Reg. $24) Graphic tees
• $19.99-$24.99 (Reg. $29.50) American Rag shorts
• $19.99 - $27.99 (Reg. $40) Denim from Ring of Fire & Royal Premium
• $9.99 - $14.99 (Reg. $14.50 - $19.50) Young Men's tank tops

Girls:

• $7.99 (Reg. $12-$14) Mix 2 Match from Epic Threads; choose from tops, scooters and leggings; Girls 2-6x
• $19.99-$24.99 (Reg. $40) Levi's jeans; Girls 2-16
• $8.99-9.99 (Reg. $13) Screen-printed tees from Beautees, Belle du Jour and more; Girls 2-16
• $14.99-$19.99 (Reg. $20-$28) Tops from Epic Threads, Speechless, Beautees, Belle du Jour and more; Girls 7-16
• $11.99 (Reg. $18) Leggings from Epic Threads; Girls 7-16

Boys:

• $24.99-$27.99 (Reg. $40 - $44) Levi's jeans; Boys 2-20
• $14.99 (Reg. $18) Nike tees; Boys 8-20
• $7.99-$9.99 (Reg. $12 - $15) Screen-printed tees from Epic Threads; Boys 2-20
• Always $6.98 and $10.98 tees and shorts from Champion; Boys 8-20

Back-to-School Fashion and Dorm Trends

This fall, boys and girls will dream under the midnight sky as blue hues take center stage. From late summer's pale blues with a likeness to faded denim to winter's dark navy and peacock blue worn in rich velvets and jacquards for holiday parties, this palette carries throughout the entire season. Each blue can be paired with fall's pale gray acting as a neutral or with pops of black and white.

For girls, 90s grunge returns with strong punk influences. Call it a fashion nirvana, as individuality and freedom of choice are prominent. Leather, moto jackets and pants with plenty of varnish and hardware are a must-have. Re-colored tartan plaids go from classic to youthful and take on a rock n' roll vibe in everything from blazers and boyfriend cardigans to baby doll dresses and flouncy skirts. Slip-on sneakers, lace-up booties, and totes also get an update. Soft pants and crop tops are another go-to look for the early fall and back-to-school time period. The bomber, cardigan or "coatigan," a cardigan that's slightly longer, all are new and evolve her style. Top off her look with gold jewelry and a crossover mini bag or backpack. For little girls, those ideas still shine through, with bold, saturated colors that make the school uniform pop back to khakis, black and navy. With these trends, one thing is certain, she has all she needs to express herself this season.

With the 80s and 90s serving as the inspiration, guys look toward a mainstream interpretation of the punk grunge era. The motorcycle jacket is an iconic silhouette and continues to evolve into fabrications beyond leather. The denim jacket takes a slightly tougher stance with more aggressive washes and contrast sleeves. Studs are back and show up on jackets, wovens, knits and caps. Graphic tees take center stage here with skulls, animal prints and punk rock band graphics. For little boys, the influence of the hipster-grunge era continues with a little bit of rock 'n roll and a dash of punk. Key elements like plaid, cardigans, rocker graphic tees play back to skinny denim. Stars, stripes and skulls are the graphics to go after along with the play on words with attitude. Key rocker and some hand-illustrated, do-it-yourself elements come into play.

When it comes to dorm living, there are ways that college students can make their rooms feel more like "home sweet home," while getting clever and creative with storage for a small space. Adding a distinct focal point to the room is a great start, such as a vibrant comforter or duvet with a few chic throw pillows to introduce new energy. To further warm up the room, floor lamps are great additions, as well as a plush area rug in rich colors, muted natural shades or bold patterns to tie everything together. Hanging shelves for closets and over-the-door shoe organizers are also must-haves - leaving students with plenty of room to study and relax!

Teen Vogue Back-to-School Saturdays

On Saturday, Aug. 9, Macy's will again celebrate Teen Vogue Back-to-School Saturdays in select locations nationwide. During the one-day shopping extravaganza for the best deals on everything for back to school, customers can enjoy a showcase of the hottest fashions for fall, sweet treats and lively music while scouting their favorite brands.

Visit macys.com/bts for more information about in-store promotions, the latest fashions for back-to-school and special events.

Learn more about back-to-school fashion shopping opportunities from the Apparel Search guide.

Sugar: The Secret Skin Assassin

Sugar: The Secret Skin Assassin!
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
of a Favorite Food Pastime
By: Ron Cummings

The Good

Wow, we sure like our sugar. After all, what’s not to like? I mean, what’s better with a glass of milk than a couple of chocolate chip cookies? Imagine that it’s the end of a long, hard day; you get home and put on your favorite TV show, kick your feet up and dig in to a bowl of your favorite ice cream covered in an assortment of decadent toppings.  And, for millions of us, that mid-day candy bar is just a regular part of life. Let’s face it – our favorite sugar-laden goodies are just flat out pleasing, comforting and of course delicious! Sugar satisfies one of our favorite desires: instant gratification. We love sugar; we crave it. It’s just plain good.

The Bad

With that being said, there’s not a single one of us who doesn’t know that sugar, especially in excess, is bad for us. It’s terrible for our teeth, destroys our mood, makes us gain weight and severely alters our overall blood chemistry. We have to admit that sugar simply ruins our health. Naturally, we continue to indulge our sugar obsession, despite the detrimental consequences of eating sugar. We can all agree life is too short not to enjoy our favorite dessert, right? – Lots of things are bad for us, so what’s the big deal?  If enjoying sugar means an extra few pounds around my midsection, then I guess that’s okay, right?

Some of us think that, maybe, if I just watch my sugar intake a little and not go too crazy, then I’ll be able to enjoy the good of sugar and, maybe, the bad of sugar won’t really affect me too much. When it comes to sugar, most of us are willing to take the good with the bad, because we want to have our cake and eat it too.

By now, most of us have been bombarded by endless antisugar messages. There are always new studies on how sugar adversely affects our health, our kids’ attention spans, and the obesity problem that seems to be getting worse by the year.  No matter what anti-sugar messages we read, see and hear, we simply refuse to give up our beloved sugar.

However, there is a new and powerful message coming out from the scientific community about sugar, and whether it’s time for us to give it up.

The Ugly

Sugar is making you ugly! What? – Yes! Excess sugar in our bodies is now being revealed as one of the most damaging elements to our appearance. As it turns out, these sweet little sugar molecules are leading a double life. After they pass over our taste buds and give us that amazing sugar buzz, these appealing friends of ours change their personalities and go on a seek-and-destroy mission. In a process called glycation, excess sugar in our blood stream in reality attacks the proteins throughout our bodies. As a matter of fact, these sugar molecules attach themselves to proteins – much like a parasite. Once bonding happens, that particular protein becomes glycated; or, in other words, sick.

A recently glycated protein becomes misshapen, hardened, does not function correctly and excretes exotoxins that affect surrounding proteins. After the glycation process has run its course, the protein is referred to as an Advanced Glycation End Product, or A.G.E. for short.

A real-world example of glycation in action is the browning and hardening process when placing a piece of bread in the toaster. 

This is where the ugly part comes in. Our skin is essentially one giant protein suit that covers us and protects all of our inner workings from the outside world. Most people are aware that the main protein in human skin is collagen, the proteins of which are very long lasting. They have a half-life of approximately 15 years and are not immune to the effects of glycation. Just like other proteins, when collagen becomes glycated, that protein is now considered an A.G.E. Like others, collagen proteins become misshapen, hardened, brittle and excrete exotoxins. While you can’t see the effects of most proteins in your body when they become glycated, the effects of glycation on skin proteins becomes very evident.

Essentially, every visible sign we attribute to aging skin – including wrinkles, fine lines, discoloration, sagging, uneven skin tones, stress, loss of elasticity, etc. – can all be attributed to the process of glycation.

Glycation becomes more evident in your appearance when sugar molecules attack the surface proteins on the fine capillaries of your skin. This process causes your capillaries to leak, causing what we recognize as spider veins. The same process can happen in the under-eye area, which we recognize as dark circles.

The most demoralizing aspect of glycation is the fact that once a protein has become glycated, or is now considered an A.G.E., the damage is permanent. Glycation is an additive effect and probably begins as soon as we’re born, affecting us throughout our lifetime.

If you’ve read or have been told that environmental factors like the sun, wind, weather and pollution age our skin the most, that would be correct, but it’s not the whole story.  Glycation is the chemical process which enables these environmental factors to damage our skin. For instance, when radiation from the sun strikes and penetrates our skin, it accelerates the glycation process. (Recall my mention of toasting a piece of bread.)

It seems a little unfair. In most cases, if I give up a certain vice, then my body, given enough time, will generally recover. If I start eating a better diet, I’ll most likely lose weight and be healthier. If I give up smoking, in most cases, my lungs, heart and blood pressure can return to normal. Nevertheless, once your proteins have been glycated, you’re pretty much out of luck; the damage has been done – end of story.

Well … almost. You see, if you go online right now and do a search on the process of glycation, you will read much of what you’ve read here, including the fact that once a protein has become an A.G.E., it’s irreversible. Recent studies have shown some promising discoveries that may allow us to not only help prevent further damage from glycation, but also help affected proteins return to their normal state, function and appearance!

Powerful, new and topically applied serums have shown the remarkable ability to help block the glycation process and break the bond between the sugar molecules and the protein affected. In a recent clinical trial conducted in France, 500 women were treated with a serum derived from a naturally occurring plant extract. At the end of the 60-day trial, the 500 women appeared an average of 8 to 10 years younger.

No doubt that a whole new category of anti-glycation treatments will soon be available in the marketplace. Based on projections, anti-glycation products will become as popular as the anti-oxidants, sunscreens and moisturizers of today.

For a detailed description of how glycation ages your skin and how you can stop and even reverse the process, go to www.controlyourage.com. 

About Ron Cummings

Ron Cummings is the founder and CEO of AminoGenesis Skin Care, which utilizes amino acids as the key ingredients to its age- and damage-reversing products. The formula for the solution features 17 plant-purified amino acids, which are necessary for healthy and radiant skin. The company’s formulas include anti-glycation properties, which are very rare in today’s skin-care products. Cummings donated one of his products, a protective agent, to support military forces in Afghanistan and received a hearty letter of gratitude from the Marines of Special Operations Company Bravo, which described the product’s excellent performance, as well as a flag that was flown “in the face of the enemy, over Forward Operating Base Robinson in Sangin, Afghanistan.”   

Fourth of July Fashion Tips 2014

Nothing says summer like July 4^th; with a hotdog in one hand, a drink in the other and fireworks lighting up the sky, celebrating America's birthday is truly one of the best celebrations. With plans made, a true fashionista must find an appropriately themed ensemble without looking like a star spangled banner.


Below, we have compiled styles for the two go-to destinations of the weekend; chic plus-size bathing suits from OneStopPlus.com for the beach and flowy sundresses from eShakti.com to beat the heat as you head to the BBQ.

Here are a few fashion tips for the beach:

Anne Cole Plus Size White Mesh Bandeau Swimsuit

$73.50

OneStopPlus.com

s4a Boho Plus Size Gold Foil Kimono Dress

$34.50

OneStopPlus.com

City Chic Seychelles Stripe Tanikini

$54

OneStopPlus.

City Chic Mustique Kaftan

$33.99

OneStopPlus.com

Delta Burke Delta Burke® "Shirred Top" 2-Piece Skirtini Swimsuit

$79.99

OneStopPlus.com

Delta Burke Red Plus Size Twist Front Swimsuit

$66.75

OneStopPlus.com

Jessica Simpson Plus Size Seashell Tie Front Bandeau Halter Swimdress

$88.50

OneStopPlus.com

Kiyonna Sand and Glam Illusion Swimsuit

$138

OneStopPlus.com

Roaman's Gauze Angel Coverup

$49.99 - $54.99

OneStopPlus.com

Here are a few fashion tips for attending a barbecue.

SuperJeweler Bracelet | eShakti Dress | SuperJeweler Earrings

eShakti Dress | SuperJeweler Earrings

SuperJeweler Bracelet | eShakti Dress | SuperJeweler Earrings

eShakti Dress | SuperJeweler Necklace

View additional 4th of July 2014 fashion tips on the Apparel Search fashion blog.

Bershan Shaw to Release URAWARRIOR.com

Motivational speaker, businesswoman and author Bershan Shaw is set to officially launch the release of URAWARRIOR.com, a social networking platform where people can publicly and privately share their stories of overcoming adversity. Armed with newfound purpose and to make an impact, Bershan’s life goal is to help people reinvent themselves, step into their greatness and find their warrior within. Bershan Shaw will host a launch event to honor Warriors in the industry dedicated to assisting and educating people in finding their way to a healthier and better life. The launch event will be held on Wednesday, June 4 at INGLOT Studios, 75 9th Avenue New York, NY from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

The Celebrity Honorees include:

Amber Sabathia, Executive Director of PitCCh In Foundation & wife of CC Sabathia, pitcher for the New York Yankees. Their main focus is to enrich the lives of inner city youth in the New York Tri State and in their home town of Vallejo, CA.

Yandy Smith, Star of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop and President and CMO of EGL “Everything Girls Love” dedicated to empower and uplift women in all aspects.  The goal of EGL is to provide women with resources to help them live a full life.

Sharon Carpenter, Award-winning broadcast journalist and producer who currently serves as a host on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ innovative new music network, Revolt TV.

The Everyday Warriors include:

Nicole Winn, Ambassador for the American Heart Association, who recently launched their Heart Disease Awareness Month campaign in Times Square and throughout New York. The campaign focuses on helping women across America fight the battle against heart disease.

Justine Grant, Model diagnosed with lupus November 2013. Modeling and living with lupus is difficult to juggle, so Justine decided to focus her attention on bringing awareness to such a tragic and mysterious disease.

Additionally, several “Everyday Warriors” throughout the tri-state area who use art, poetry and photography as their medium to express their pain, suffering, loss and everyday struggles, have been invited to exhibit their work. They will share their stories of amazing strength and personal journey to finding their inner Warrior. 

The URAWARRIOR platform, which includes the “Warrior Wall,” started as an online awareness campaign, which has now evolved into a social networking platform with the mission to inspire others to not live in fear and silence. Dubbed the “Facebook for support and healing,” the website features a community page — where current topics users are discussing are posted; blogs — original articles are submitted by users and dedicated bloggers; a “peeps” section — to release thoughts, videos and pictures, as well as a string of user driven conversations. Resources are also made available for each topic in discussion to ensure users receive the assistance needed. A shop tab for the URAWARRIOR inspirational jewelry created by Bershan is also available.

ABOUT BERSHAN SHAW

In April, on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network's new docu-series “Love in the City,” viewers were introduced to Bershan Shaw as a survivor – in every sense of the word. The show featured the fast-paced lives of four fabulous and real life friends living in New York City, displaying their everyday lives as women dealing with careers, romance, and life-altering struggles. Although life for Bershan may be fabulous now, just a few years ago, that couldn’t have been further from reality.  After surviving breast cancer the first time in 2007, Bershan was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2009 and told she only had three months to live. This devastating news sent Bershan on a journey to change her life and help others. Bershan worked tirelessly on her physical, mental, and spiritual health. She became a certified life coach and founded URAwarrior.com – an online social networking site for support. Armed with newfound determination and purpose, Bershan’s life goal is to help people reinvent themselves, step into their greatness and find their warrior within. Five years later, Bershan has no evidence of disease and is helping others become a warrior.

For more information about URAWARRIOR.com and URAWARRIOR Line of Jewelry, visit: www.urawarrior.com

For more information about Bershan Shaw, visit: www.bershan.com,

Mila Kunis Casual Maternity Jeans

Mila Kunis was spotted wearing Seraphine yesterday while at lunch in Studio City! The glowing mom-to-be looked casual cool in her Seraphine Blue Wash Straight Leg Premium Maternity Jeans ($89).

 

Seraphine maternity jeans are renowned for being the best, offering quality cuts and high level comfort. These stylish straight leg jeans, worn by Mila Kunis, Dannii Minogue, and other celebs are a perfect example of why. With an incredibly slimming straight cut, these jeans are stylishly washed and subtly distressed to resemble the most sought after maternity jeans. Featuring sexy back pocket detailing, these jeans will lift and shape your behind for an ultra flattering look. The luxe four way stretch denim is fabulously comfortable, and with a comfortable under the bump fit, no one will ever guess these are maternity jeans!

 

Milena Markovna is an American actress.  She appeared in several television series and commercials, before acquiring her first significant role prior to her 15th birthday, playing Jackie Burkhart on the television series That '70s Show. In September 1999, she began voicing Meg Griffin on the animated series Family Guy. Her breakout film role came in 2008, playing Rachel Jansen in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Tech-travel Acquisition: Bags

Tech-travel case manufacturer Skooba Design has been acquired by Norazza, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of accessories through the consumer electronics, office supply and mass market channels. Buffalo, NY - based Norazza chose Skooba for its complementary products, and to increase its own design, branding, and online marketing capabilities.

“We've had our eye on the Skooba business for several years,” remarks Norazza CEO Thomas Sperazza. "Our own bag business has been growing dramatically, and the addition of Skooba’s high level of creativity, design talent and industry experience will help take the category to new levels and new markets for us." Sperazza adds that Skooba’s custom design division – which develops and manufactures turnkey carrying case solutions for corporate and industrial clients – brings a significant new growth channel to the business.

Norazza was founded in 2002 as a small distribution business, and has since grown to a leading multi-brand supplier servicing tens of thousands of retail outlets through a broad distribution network. Its products include Ape Case photo/electronic bags, Endust for Electronics cleaning products, and Enspire Field Shower Packs. With the acquisition, Norazza will add Skooba's branded line of laptop bags and accessories, its custom design and manufacturing service business, as well as its recently-introduced Hotdog Yoga bag line, which Sperazza says is the first step in the company's big push into the fitness and outdoor markets.

Skooba Design founder Michael Hess says, "We're thrilled to have Skooba join this fast-growing family of brands. We've always been known as a 'boutique' line, selling primarily through specialty outlets; under Norazza's roof, Skooba and Hotdog have overnight access to an enormous new dealer base and variety of markets." Hess says he was impressed when, less than a week after the acquisition, Norazza had secured commitments to get the Skooba line into two of the largest distributors in the world: "This is a company that knows how to execute on a large scale."

Skooba's design team will join Norazza, and will be working on all products and marketing across the company's brand portfolio.

For more information, visit www.norazza.com, www.skoobadesign.com and www.hotdogyoga.com

TRANSIT Footwear & Accessories Show 2014

TRANSIT Footwear & Accessories Show, LA's longest running footwear tradeshow, will take place at the California Market Center (CMC) Monday - Wednesday, June 9-11, 2014 and Monday - Wednesday, August 4 - 6, 2014. Both Shows will run in conjunction with LA Fashion Market at the CMC, and will be held in the B wing of the 13th floor Penthouse, Monday and Tuesday from 10A-5P, and Wednesday from 10A-4P. Due to a busy show schedule during June and August, the CMC has shifted the dates to help accommodate buyers and exhibitors. "It was important to us to switch the Show dates because Transit is the only venue where buyers can see brands like Jeffrey Campbell, Modern Vice, MIA, Naughty Monkey, Yellow Box and many others," says Oscar Ben Rodriguez, Senior Tradeshow Manager at the CMC. "The Show has a rich history as the longest running footwear show during LA Fashion Market, showcasing the biggest and best mix of footwear brands. It continues to be the destination for the best footwear brands at LA Fashion Market." Key footwear retailers who attended the last Show include Nasty Gal, Modcloth, London Boots, Kitson, Piperlime, Planet Blue, Revolve Clothing, Tilly's, Zappos, American Rag & CIE, Azalea Boutique, Cloakroom, Duck and Dressing, Garguz Studio, Habit Footwear and Accessories, George's Cibaud Boutique, Le Dress, and many more. Retailers come from all over the world including Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, Paris, Mexico, New Zealand, and Canada. TRANSIT caters to fashion boutiques and better retailers attending LA Fashion Market, as well as specialty footwear retailers. The Show's roster of lines includes an impressive showcase of the fashion footwear industry's top brands, in a variety of price points, including BCBG MaxAzria, Betsey Johnson, Charles by Charles David, Chinese Laundry, Cole Haan, Corso Como, DV by Dolce Vita, Ella Moss, Grey City, Jeffrey Campbell, Jessica Simpson, Lou Earl, Lucky Brand, Modern Vice, Seychelles, Steve Madden, Vince Camuto, Trask, Walk Over and many more. Additionally, the Show features a continually growing selection of handbags, belts, hosiery, jewelry, and footwear accessories brands. TRANSIT Show dates for the Fall II/Holiday Market are now June 9-11, 2014 and August 4-6, 2014 during the Holiday/Resort Market.

About TRANSIT - Running in conjunction with LA Fashion Market 5x a year, TRANSIT is the go to for buyers sourcing footwear in Los Angeles, catering to an audience of contemporary boutiques, better retailers & fashion influencers.  For more information visit www.transitshoeshow.com. Learn more about apparel industry trade shows at the fashion trade show guide on Apparel Search.