Monday, February 28, 2011


webdesignschoolsguide.com

Top 10 Most Famous Young Fashion Designers

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Breaking into the fashion industry is extremely difficult, especially if you’re young and inexperienced. It can take years to develop a portfolio and save up enough money to start your own line, and even longer before anyone notices it. There’s no age limit for becoming a successful fashion designer, but you do need to possess technical skills, design knowledge and be able to showcase an individual style, like these 10 famous young fashion designers have.
  1. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen may be known for their role as Michelle Tanner on the TV series Full House, but these young 24-year-olds have made an even bigger splash as successful fashion designers. The twins began their fashion careers when they launched their namesake clothing line for girls ages 4-14 that is sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores across America. In 2007, the Olsens launched their contemporary collection, called Elizabeth and James, which features vintage-inspired garments and accessories you’d see in their expanding wardrobe. Then, they created The Row, a critically-acclaimed high-end clothing line that launched in 2010. Their newest venture is the stylish and budget-friendly clothing line called Olsenboye that’s available at JCPenney.
  2. Zac Posen: Zac Posen has had a wildly successful career as a young fashion designer. The 30-year-old designer has dressed everyone from Natalie Portman, Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow to Jennifer Lopez. His beautiful, feminine garments and streamlined aesthetics have earned him numerous awards and praise in the fashion industry. Posen received formal fashion design education at Parsons The New School for Design, and graduated from the womenswear degree program at the University of the Arts London. After college, Posen showcased his collection in GenArt’s Fresh Faces in Fashion New York show, which helped launch his career and namesake label at 21 years old.
  3. Cecilia Cassini: Cecilia Cassini is living out her dream of becoming a fashion designer at the tender age of 10. This little fashionista holds the title of the youngest fashion designer in the country. Cassini specializes in designing clothes for young girls that are colorful, chic and have a touch of couture. Her one-of-a-kind dresses, skirts and tops are sold at Fred Segal and on her personal web site. Cassini’s namesake label has garnered national attention from fashion designers, celebrities and the media for her impressive designs and inspiring story of success. Since she was four, Cassini has been cutting and putting together clothes, and learned how to sew by practicing on her very own sewing machine.
  4. Kira Plastinina: Kira Plastinina is a Russian fashion designer, whose high-end line called Kira Plastinina Lublu has had international success. Her clothing line is known for its edgy styles and girly flare that features lots of pinks, prints and metallics. Plastinina’s love for fashion began in childhood, when she started drawing beautiful gowns and designing clothes for her dolls. Kira’s father, Sergei Plastinin, made her designer dreams come true when he funded her very own fashion line at 14 years old, making her the world’s youngest fashion designer at that time. Her first store was opened in Moscow, and now she has more than 120 stores worldwide.
  5. Christian Siriano: Christian Siriano is a young fashion designer whose talent was first showcased on the small screen as a contestant and winner of the fourth season of Project Runway. Winning the televised competition enabled Siriano to start his own label. His clothing line, Christian V. Siriano, debuted at New York Fashion Week in 2009 and his fall 2009 collection was picked up by Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and other specialty stores. Since then, Siriano has collaborated with several labels, including Payless, Victoria’s Secret, Puma and LG Group to create a fashion phone.
  6. Marios Schwab: Marios Schwab is a London-based fashion designer who’s known for his strong attention to detail and clever interpretations of natural forms. The young and exciting designer garnered a great deal of attention for his spring/summer 2008 runway collection that featured garments that looked inside out. Schwab’s craftsmanship is truly unique and constantly evolving as he finds new ways to accentuate the female figure. Schwab studied fashion at the Esmod fashion school in Berlin and completed his MA in womenswear fashion at Central Saint Martins. He launched his own label in 2005 and received critical acclaim for the debuted collection.
  7. Ainsley Hansen: Ainsley Hansen is a famous newcomer within the fashion industry. Following her graduation from the Sydney Institute of Technology, Hansen got a job as a stylist for Australia’s Next Top Model. This young Australian designer launched her collection, called Generic Sameness, at the 2009 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to glowing reviews. Hansen’s line includes traditional pieces with futuristic flare, which she says is inspired by "the progression of globalization." Her ability to combine international trends with hybrid clothing makes her line truly one of a kind.
  8. Roksanda Ilincic: Roksanda Ilincic may be considered a newcomer in the fashion industry, but her collection is well-known among Londoners and her high-profile clients, such as Kate Hudson, Margherita Missoni and Rosamund Pike. Ilincic is known for her avant-garde designs that are both sensible and glamorous. Ilincic graduated from Central Saint Martins and launched her namesake label in London in 2005. Since then, she’s branched out and tried on different looks, but has always stayed true to her hand-sewn trademark.
  9. Phillip Lim: Phillip Lim is a young fashion designer whose line, 3.1 Phillip Lim, has become an instant success. Lim is known for adding a contemporary twist to everyday classics. His chic and individual styles are created for both men and women. Lim found his way into the fashion industry after quitting a job at Barneys in Beverly Hills and landing an internship with Katayone Adeli. Lim eventually launched his own collection with business partner, Wen Zhou, at the age of 31. In 2005, 3.1 Phillip Lim was debuted at New York Fashion Week and received critical acclaim. Since then, Lim has received numerous awards and years of commercial success.
  10. Geren Lockhart: Geren Lockhart is the mastermind behind her fashion line Geren Ford. Lockhart started her brand in 2002 after traveling the world and seeking influence from the art, music and architecture she witnessed. She is known for creating unique, but functional clothing that’s colorful and chic. Lockhart unexpectedly entered the fashion industry after she designed a pair of pants and discovered her passion for fashion. She left her advertising job to study design at Parsons. Her strong attention to detail and practicality for the modern woman has made Lockhart a favorite among critics and customers.
(webdesignschoolsguide.com)
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Health and Fitness.


mastersinhealthcare.com

60 Essential Links for Quit-Smoking Support

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If you’re trying to quit smoking, you can use all the support you can get. Websites, communities, and more all offer a lending hand. Make use of these links to quit for your health, family, and life.
Resources & Advice
These sites can point you in the right direction for resources and advice that will help you quit smoking.
  1. Smoking Cessation Health Center: WebMD’s health center will help you quit with tools, advice, and more.
  2. Reasons and Resources for Quitting Smoking: Suite 101 offers some great ideas for quitting smoking.
  3. Dealing with Urges to Smoke: Deal with your smoking urges by using these ideas.
  4. Where to Get Help When You Decide to Quit Smoking: Here you’ll find out how you can get help when you want to quit smoking.
  5. How Can I Quit Smoking?: Find out about quitting smoking as a teen on this site.
  6. How to Quit Smoking: Read about the steps of quitting smoking here.
  7. Quitting Tobacco-Talk With Your Doctor: This radiocast shares why it’s so important to discuss tobacco use with your doctor.
  8. My Time to Quit: Get started with the how-tos of quitting on My Time to Quit.
Websites
Check out these websites for information, motivation, and more for quitting smoking.
  1. About: Quit Smoking: Browse the topic of quitting smoking here.
  2. Determined to Quit: Determined to Quit can offer you motivation, information, support, resources, and more.
  3. Quitter in You: The American Lung Association’s site offers inspiration for quitting smoking.
  4. Quit Tobacco: Designed for members of the military, this site has tools, information, and more for those who want to quit smoking, spitting, and using tobacco.
  5. Smoke Free Homes: Smoke Free Homes will help you stop secondhand smoke exposure to children.
Communities
Become a part of these communities for the support you need to quit smoking.
  1. Stobacco: Stobacco will help you get support from your friends to quit smoking.
  2. Quit Smoking Message Board: Check out this message board for support in quitting smoking.
  3. Wellsphere Quit Smoking Community: Get help for quitting smoking in Wellsphere’s community.
  4. Stop Smoking Center: The Stop Smoking Center offers this support group for getting through the rough spots.
  5. WhyQuit: WhyQuit offers motivation, education, and support for quitting smoking.
  6. Smoking Cessation: About.com offers this smoking cessation support forum.
  7. QuitNet: QuitNet’s forums and more can help you avoid quitting alone.
  8. Ready to Quit: Ready to Quit has support groups and more for quitting smoking.
  9. Stop Smoking Simplified: Here you can find community support groups for quitting smoking.
Blogs
Follow these blogs for information and motivation for quitting smoking.
  1. My Quit Smoking Diary: Read about quitting aids, tips, and more here.
  2. Smoking Cessation Blog: Terry Martin discusses ideas and support for quitting smoking.
  3. I Can Quit!: Learn about going tobacco free on this blog.
  4. Healthy Lifestyle: Healthy Lifestyle shares information and tips on stopping your smoking habit.
  5. Quit Smoking for Good: The smokers blog will help you learn how to quit smoking.
  6. Nonsmoking Nation: Read the Nonsmoking Nation blog to follow tobacco-related news and events.
  7. Quit Smoking Counter: This blog shares gadgets and tools that can help you quit smoking cold turkey.
  8. Quit Smoking: Mayo Clinic counselor Jennifer Kern discusses quitting smoking on this blog.
Programs & Guides
These resources will help you follow programs that can help you quit smoking.
  1. Freedom from Smoking: The American Lung Association offers this online program to help you quit smoking.
  2. Guide to Quitting Smoking: The American Cancer Society offers this guide to quitting smoking.
  3. Become an Ex: Relearn life without cigarettes by getting started with Become an Ex.
  4. Not on Tobacco: Not on Tobacco is an online program designed to help reduce teen smoking.
  5. Help for Smokers and Other Tobacco Users: In this consumer guide, you’ll find help for kicking the habit of smoking.
  6. Guide to Quitting Smoking: Find the basics of quitting smoking, and learn how to take action against smoking in this guide.
  7. Smokefree: This government website offers a step by step quit guide, quizzes, and more.
  8. Pathways to Freedom: Pathways to Freedom discusses strategies for gaining freedom from tobacco.
  9. Quitting Helps You Heal Faster: This informative resource explains why you should quit smoking while in the hospital.
Products
These guides offer information on products that can help you stop smoking.
  1. Nicorette: Nicorette’s website has information and quit plans available to help.
  2. Stop-Smoking Programs Resource Guide: This guide shares what you should look for in a smoking cessation program.
  3. FDA 101: Smoking Cessation Products: This guide offers a discussion of the various options available for smoking cessation.
  4. Drugs@FDA: Get more information on smoking cessation drugs from this FDA site.
Information & Advice
Check out these links for information and advice on kicking the habit.
  1. How to Quit Smoking Now: Fast and Easy: Find out why and how you can quit smoking.
  2. Nicotine Dependence: The Mayo Clinic explains the symptoms, risk factors, and support resources for nicotine dependence.
  3. How Can I Quit Smoking?: This document explains how you can quit smoking.
  4. Tips for Parents: The American Lung Association offers tips for parents who would like to prevent smoking in their children.
  5. Smoking: Steps to Help You Break the Habit: Take these steps to stop the habit of smoking.
  6. How Can I Handle the Stress of Not Smoking?: Check out this information sheet to learn how you can deal with the stress of quitting smoking.
  7. How to Handle Withdrawal Symptoms and Triggers When You Decide to Quit Smoking: Use this fact sheet to learn how to deal with withdrawal symptoms and triggers you may experience when you quit smoking.
  8. How Can I Avoid Weight Gain When I Stop Smoking?: This information sheet can help you avoid the weight gain that can happen when you stop smoking.
  9. Smoking Cessation PSAs with National Football League Hall of Famer Darrell Green: In this video, Darrell Green talks to kids about tobacco use.
  10. Harms of Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting: This fact sheet discusses the cancers and other problems that can develop from smoking, as well as benefits you’ll receive when you decide to quit.
  11. If You’re Pregnant and You Smoke: This audio program shares the risks of smoking while pregnant.
  12. "Light" Cigarettes and Cancer Risk: Get the real information on light cigarettes through this fact sheet.
  13. How to Give Up Smoking: Quit Smoking for good with the help of this resource.
  14. 97 Reasons to Quit Smoking: If you need all of the reasons to quit smoking spelled out, check out this list.
  15. Quit Tips: Find tips for quitting in this article from the CDC.
  16. Your Non-Smoking Life: Transition into a non-smoking life with this article.
  17. Why Quit Smoking?: The American Heart Association explains why you should quit smoking in this article.


Buried Alive: Libya.


'Men Found Buried Alive' At Gaddafi Compound

6:44pm UK, Sunday February 27, 2011
Dominic Waghorn, in Benghazi

Sky News has uncovered disturbing new evidence of the barbarity of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's regime in Libya east, where the opposition movement has seized control.

Libyan revolutionaries in Benghazi claim to have rescued seven prisoners that had been buried alive.
They say the group was found entombed in a small underground cell in the city's dreaded government compound - forbidden territory for 40 years, now overrun by the forces of revolution.
The rescuers said they heard voices underground and dug through earth and freshly laid concrete to discover the seven men, some of whom were barely alive.
Sky News was taken to the small underground chamber lined with breeze blocks and topped with new cement. There seems to have been no way in or out.
Explore the unrest spreading in the Middle East
Their rescuers said some of the seven were anti-Gaddafi protesters and others were soldiers who had rebelled against the dictator.
They were now being treated in hospital.
The ground underneath the compound is yielding more dark secrets in a labyrinth of bunkers, prisons and armouries.
This was Gaddafi's subterranean stronghold in the east of Libya. Its tunnels appear to have been stacked high with every kind of weapon.
Every box has been ripped open and ransacked by revolutionaries.
Among the debris we found labels for anti-tank jet-propelled missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.
Rack after rack of rifle stands have been stripped of their arms.
The tunnels are big enough to drive armoured vehicles through.
Graffiti in Benghazi ridicules Gaddafi
Graffiti in Benghazi ridicules Colonel Gaddafi, depicting him as a clown
There are rumours of a five kilometre tunnel extending from this compound to Colonel Gaddafi's mansion and farm outside of town. But so far no one has found it.
In another part of the compound there are prison cells.
On the ceilings inmates have used the soot from cigarette lighters to write their names and those of their girlfriends and wives.
Elsewhere is the guest house where Colonel Gaddafi would stay. The walls around it are windowless.
No one was allowed to peer into this secret world.
The villa extends underground to a maze of rooms ending with an exit tunnel for easy escape.
Above ground graffiti ridicules Colonel Gaddafi - one shows him as a clown.
For years his clownish antics were a distraction. Only now are some of his worst excesses coming to light.
Elsewhere, anti-government protesters were in control of a key town just 30 miles from the capital Tripoli.
Sky News has seen the anti-Gaddafi flag flying over Zawiyah - the centre of the most bitter fighting in recent days.
(sky news)
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