A blooming Rose

　　

　　

　　— Pic courtesy of BustamamMarion Rose Caunter doesn't have a typical week.

　　Jet-setting and interviewing celebri­ties for E! News Asia while still attending local engagements and productions - the word 'typical', does not exist when it comes to describing her schedule.

　　"Whatever it is, every Thursday is our recording in Singapore. I'll fly in Wednesday night, or Thursday morn­ing, and usually I'll fly back or just stay a night.

　　"And then, as and when, they will have assignments where we'll fly wher­ever we have to."

　　Having just wrapped the first sea­son of MyEG Xtra Time with Nur Fazura Sharifuddin, Marion still doesn't seem to have much free time.

　　With E! News Asia taking up most of her time, there are also other plans that need her attention.

　　"We've shot seven episodes so far, so it's still a very new experience.

　　"The whole ride has been a highlight, from the trip to the auditions, to get­ting it, to going on air for the first time, to going for the Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong and to meeting Donatella Versace in person."

　　The 4th Asian Film Awards was the eye-opener, being not just the first assignment but its status as a huge Asian star-studded event.

　　"We were prepped, and we even Googled names to find out backgrounds of everyone. Or at least everything on those recognisable stars.

　　"Names like Andy Lau and Shah Rukh Khan obviously are known by everyone, but it was rattling, to be very prepared on the red carpet."

　　Her personal high was her one-on-one interview with Sarah Jessica Parker for the promo of Sex And The City 2.

　　Apart from meeting 'Carrie Bradshaw', she also had time out with Cynthia Nix­on who plays Miranda Hobbes.

　　"I was starstruck. I am easily start­struck by people I admire.

　　"Most times they tell me the names I'm going to interview, and it's like it's no biggie, and you're like whatever, be­cause you don't care.

　　"When you're a fan however, you're like 'Oh My God, if I ask a lot of questions will she hate me, or worse of all - what if she's a snob?' The worse thing about being a fan is leaving the interview up­set and I was like 'please be nice', and she (Parker) was."

　　Marion had questions she wanted to ask, but there wasn't enough time.

　　"I so wanted to ask her about her work as the president and chief creative officer of her own fashion line for Hal­ston Heritage.

　　"We ran out of time as I only had 10 minutes with her."

　　Parker's secondary collection for Hal­ston is featured in the Sex And The City sequel as part of its fashion montage.

　　Fashionable inclinations are definite­ly one of the main attributes of what makes the job with E! so wonderful. And we're not talking about the limited edition Christian Louboutin she managed to pick up after meeting SJP.

　　Meeting fashion icon and vice-pres­ident of the Versace Group and chief designer of the fashion line Donatella Versace was a surreal experience.

　　"Goes to show the power of E! on the red carpet. There was a long line of media from Hong Kong and all over the world but Donatella just ignored everyone and came straight to us when she saw the E! microphone and went, 'E! You're in Asia now!' in a strong accent," recalled Marion laughing before adding how nice Donatella was.

　　

　　MEETING HER IDOL: Marion with Sarah Jessica ParkerWith power comes responsibility.

　　"Since I've been on E! News Asia, peo­ple are definitely watching more, and with that comes a lot of negative com­ments, and I've heard so many compari­sons to the American version and how there were better candidates.

　　"I've had good comments too, but there'll always be horrible ones. I've had people professing how much they hate me. Hate... that's such a strong word..."

　　Still, she must be doing something right.

　　E News Asia goes through stringent vetting, where tapes get sent to the States for approval before they come back here for airing.

　　"In the first month, they were so in­volved and my co-host Dominic Lau was facing things like being told to cut his hair, or getting it the right colour. When they get to that point, you know they do care that much and are that in­volved in the show."

　　Working with heartthrob Dom is nothing new.

　　With Poparazzi they had their encounters but with E!, it has been intense.

　　"He's like a child, and he won't be happy with me saying this but he is.

　　"He brings so much laughter and energy to the set. A link that could take 10 minutes, stretches to 45 minutes because he's cracking the crew up and I have to scold him."

　　Both of them have grown up since their stint on Channel [V] and E! seems to be a barrel of laughs de­spite the hectic lifestyle.

　　And if the jet-setting and starry sights aren't enough, there's always the backing of American hosts of E! News, Giuliana Rancic and Ryan Seacrest, which is more than enough to spur them on to do the best job possible.

　　"Giuliana was very much aware of E! News Asia, and she was congratu­lating me on getting the job and she is simply amazing.

　　"Ryan however was unaware there was an Asian version - he's never even been to Asia! He's known throughout the world and he's never even been to this part of the world.

　　"I've been a fan of him since eight or nine years ago and his success on TV, radio and as an entrepreneur is indeed an inspiration."

　　E! News Asia is such a high that Marion says she's ready to end her career with E!.

　　

　　FASHIONISTAS: Marion with fashion designer Vera Wang"If not for E! News Asia, I would have left to study at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles.

　　"Everyone, fans and friends asked me to try for it, so I did and I passed the au­ditions. School's al­ways going to be there."

　　She might however consider not furthering her studies if there's marriage in the cards. Of course rumours are aplenty that Marion will be getting hitched pretty soon, though the pretty and petite 30-year-old prefers to remain mum and casually touches on the issue before leaving it be.

　　"I may just dive right into it and start my fashion line. You can do it, and get people to do the technical bits. I know how to sketch, and learnt about fabrics.

　　"I don't know pattern making and construction nor am I that good at sew­ing, but I have lots of friends who will help out."

　　It's a dream that she has had for a long time, and Marion insists the dream will come true one day. She said it has been stalled because of enticing job offers.

　　Changing the topic a little, and touch­ing on Sarimah Ibrahim helming The Biggest Loser Asia (now moving into its second season), Marion agrees that Malaysian talents are beginning to get noticed.

　　"In fact when they did auditions for E! News Asia, they said Malaysians were impressive, and it's not impossible that our melting pot of cultures and ethnici­ties hold something special apart from the talents here."

　　With word that Fashion TV will be heading to our shores, Marion is ex­cited.

　　"Why not? Would I do it? Never say never. I've said never before and it hap­pens anyway," she laughed.

　　

　　WORKING HARD: Marion on the set of E! News Asia in SingaporeHer road to success

　　The 30-year-old is a graduate of the Marquette University in Mil­waukee, Wisconsin with a degree in broadcasting and electronic communications.

　　Having begun her career as a reporter for Milwaukee's WB 18 Channel, she moved on to work in the advertising de­partment of KIIS-FM.

　　Her return to Malaysia, made her a household name for being the host of the 8TV Quickie, a dai­ly slot while also func­tioning as the station's urban content execu­tive in charge of pre- and post-production of the station's in-house shows, Latte at 8 and Flava.

　　Alongside Awal Ashaari, she also hosted three seasons of One In A Million, apart from a brief stint with Hitz FM and Channel [V] where she hosted Poparazzi

　　E! news update - Marion to tie the knot

　　Would the guy who weds Marion Caunter need to do a Mr Big and pro­vide a walk-in closet for her just like Carrie needed?

　　"No," she laughs.

　　"He does, however, need to know and prepare that I have a lot of clothes and shoes.

　　"And he knows."

　　What is she prepared to share about her marriage to a prominent businessman?

　　

　　— Pic courtesy of Bustamam"Well, yes, I am very serious and yes, it's going to happen soon and we will reveal it when we are ready.

　　"It makes me more nervous when people ask. I will tell, but I'm just not ready to talk about it anymore right now."

　　Marion's biggest fear with marriage is how overwhelming preparations can be.

　　"I don't want to be a bridezilla!"

　　She doesn't want a circus, and hopes her marriage will be about what's im­portant - the union between her and the man she will spend the rest of her life with.

　　"The important thing is, he's got to be the right one.

　　"He is the one," she said referring to her beau of choice. "He made me a bet­ter person. He knows how to deal with my negative drama and it's not com­plete when I'm not around him"

　　How about him?

　　"Well I ask him all the time, but he just says I make him happy.

　　"Things are just right, and five years later, the most important thing I can say about our relationship is, we never go to bed angry. End the day with ev­erything resolved, always."

　　How will she maintain her image after walking down the aisle? Will she still be a smokin' sexbomb?

　　"My idea of sexy has always been about the women's silhouette and not baring skin.

　　"So I am pretty comfortable with how I dress, and so I won't change."

　　The most important thing is, does marriage spell the end of her career?

　　"Marriage is the beginning of ev­erything, not the end," she says confi­dently.

　　And kids?

　　"I would have babies if I could right now. I am so ready, but of course, I have to be married first."

Community detention for serial shoplifter

　　

　　Give us your thoughts on this story.

　　A serial shoplifter with a 27-year criminal history, including 49 convictions for dishonesty and shoplifting, has admitted stealing a $670 pair of Versace sunglasses.

　　Cushla Michelle Gilmour, 41, of Tauranga, who earlier admitted three charges of shoplifting, was sentenced to six months' community detention and one year's supervision when she appeared in Tauranga District Court on Friday.

　　On January 31, Gilmour took the $670 pair of Versace sunglasses from a display case at Sunglasses Hut and put them in her handbag, yet denied having them when confronted by store security.

　　The glasses were found and returned to the display case undamaged.

　　On February 4, she returned to Bayfair Shopping Centre and stole two singlets from Cotton On, valued at $30, and two pair of shorts and a T-shirt valued at $175 from clothing store Nevada.

　　But as she did so, the security tags on the stolen items set off the store alarm and she was chased down by a staff member.

　　Gilmour told police she had to steal because she did not have enough money to survive each week.

　　Judge Paul Geoghegan told Gilmour that a jail sentence for an offender like her was a "no brainer".

　　Gilmour had an appalling criminal history stretching back to 1983, which included 49 convictions for dishonesty and shoplifting, the judge said.

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　　Judge Geoghegan said what was concerning was Gilmour's attempt to paint herself as the victim and she needed to get past that view. "It is high time at the age of 41 that you start to put yourself in someone else's shoes."

　　However, the judge said on this occasion he was prepared to step back from prison and impose community detention and supervision in the hope that the sentence along with Gilmour's attendance at Community Alcohol and Drug Service's relapse programme would help her to break the cycle of her offending.

　　Gilmour was also ordered to pay $30 reparation to Cotton On and also sentenced to 200 hours' community work in lieu of wiping $3000 fines.

Celebrated Florida interior designer who transformed Versace mansion in Miami dies in Bahamas

　　

　　

　　FILE - In this Nov. 4, 2003 file photo, Wallace Tutt naps in a hammock on his private island of Caribe Cay in The Bahamas. The South Florida interior designer whose elegant creations were popular with movie stars, models and fashion icons was found dead on June 12, 2010 in an exclusive area of the Bahamas, according to authorities. (AP Photo/Felipe Major, File) (Felipe Major, AP / November 4, 2003)

　　MEGAN REYNOLDS Associated Press Writer

　　NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — J. Wallace Tutt III, a South Florida interior designer whose elegant creations were popular with movie stars, models and fashion icons, was found dead in the Bahamas, authorities said Sunday. He was 53.

　　The cause of Tutt's death has not been determined, police said. He is best known for transforming the Miami mansion of the late Italian designer Gianni Versace into a South Beach icon. He also designed homes for Cher and had celebrity friends including Jack Nicholson and model Elle McPherson.

　　He was found Saturday morning in a grassy area of exclusive Harbour Island known as The Narrows, said a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the news media.

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　　The official said there were no signs of violence on the body and detectives are looking into the possibility drugs contributed to his death.

　　A team of detectives from New Providence, the most populated island in the vast archipelago of the Bahamas, have traveled to Harbour Island to assist with the investigation. The body has been flown to New Providence where an autopsy will be performed.

　　Tutt moved to a private retreat near Harbour Island in 2002, where he transformed an old home into a nine-room luxury boutique hotel called the Rock House hotel. Harbour Island is known for its 3-mile (2-kilometer) pink-sand beach.

　　Rock House staff declined to speak to reporters about Tutt's death but said the hotel would be closed for a week.

　　Alvin Smith, speaker of the Bahamas' lower House of parliament, said he was shocked by the death the still youthful and energetic designer.

　　Funeral arrangements are pending.

Donatella Versace can't avoid the dreaded bingo wings as she bares her arms in sleeveless dress

　　

　　At 55, Donatella Versace looks pretty good for her age.

　　But despite a rigorous diet and exercise regime, there is one thing the fashion designer hasn't managed to avoid - crepey bingo wings.

　　Donatella couldn't hide her saggy underarms as she attended an event in Milan, Italy, last night, with friends.

　　

　　Bingo wings: Despite a rigorous diet and exercise regime, Donatella Versace can't avoid crepey skin on her arms

　　Dressed in a tight black and purple patterned dress, Donatella clearly works hard to maintain her slim figure, and has even been rumoured to have gone under the surgeon's knife in a desperate bid to stay looking young.

　　

　　The saggy skin was an unfortunate distraction from Donatella's otherwise trendy outfit

　　She acknowledged recently that she may have had a little help to boost her appearance, adding: 'Natural? What is natural? What is that?

　　'I do not believe in totally natural for women. For me, natural has something to do with vegetables.'

　　However, despite her unfortunate crepey skin, Donatella looked otherwise fashion forward at the Convivio 2010 event.

　　She teamed her skintight dress with a pair of sky-high heels that many women would struggle to walk in.

　　But despite being a massive part of the Versace fashion legacy, Donatella has never liked being called a fashion 'icon'.

　　She said: 'Other people apply that 'iconic' status; I have never felt it.

　　'In my brother Gianni's fashion, in his career, there were many iconic moments, all well-documented.

　　'For myself, well, I don't like to judge myself...'

　　For someone who doesn't like being called a fashion icon, Donatella works hard to ensure she looks sleek and sophisticated at all times - even when she is working out.

　　More...

　　Kate Moss shows off her new extensions and golden tan following a sunshine break in Ibiza

　　The White House or bust! Has Sarah Palin had a boob job?

　　She said: 'I exercise in leggings with a little flare at the bottom, black with a white stripe on the sides, black tank top, black socks, black sneakers. All black!'

　　

　　

　　Trendy: Donatella looked otherwise sleek and sophisticated in a purple and black patterned dress which she teamed with sky high heels

　　

　　Giggles: The fashion designer shares a laugh with friends at the Convivio 2010 event in Milan, Italy

　　Donatella and the Versace fashion house have recently moved away from the glitzy style they are famous for to include outfits that have a broader appeal.

　　The change in style comes after the company restructured following reported losses of 49.6million euros in 2009, compared to a loss of 400,000 euros the year before.

And the award for the most toe-curling speech of 2010 goes to.... Catherine Zeta-Jones

　　And the award for the most toe-curling speech of 2010 goes to.... Catherine Zeta-Jones

　　She is a Commander of the British Empire after being recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours at the weekend.

　　But after only a day with her new title, Catherine Zeta-Jones gave a less than dignified performance in New York that left many viewers cringing in their seats.

　　The 40-year-old Welsh star won leading actress at the Tony Awards - the theatre equivalent of an Oscar - for her role in Broadway musical A Little Night Music.

　　In her excitement, Miss Zeta-Jones gave a gushing speech that included an unusually intimate tribute to her 66-year-old husband Michael Douglas.

　　

　　It's my night! Catherine Zeta-Jones shimmered in an ice blue Versace gown as she accepted the best actress gong at the Tony Awards

　　

　　Overjoyed: Catherine accepts the award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in A Little Night Music from actress Bebe Neuwirth, centre, and actor Nathan Lane

　　'See that man there? He's a movie star and I get to sleep with him every night,' she said, dressed in an elegant ice-blue strapless dress and heavily made up after performing a number from her show earlier at the awards.

　　The 3,000-plus crowd at the Radio City Music Hall roared their approval.

　　It was only later she realised the entire ceremony - including the comments she admitted were 'crass' - was broadcast across the U.S on Sunday, the day after she received her CBE for services to the film industry and charity.

　　The actress said later: 'It wasn't the most elegant thing to say, was it? I was so caught up in the moment I don't think I knew what I was saying. I had no control what was coming out of my mouth.

　　'Standing up there I felt speechless but obviously I said something but it was such a surprise that my brain didn't really connect to my mouth.

　　'What I said about Michael was heartfelt. Although thinking about it now I can't believe I said something as crass as that.'

　　

　　Tribute: Catherine didn't forget to thank the movie star husband she gets to sleep with every night, but she may come to regret being quite so candid

　　She said: 'I can't believe I said something like that. Just can't believe I said something as crass as that'.

　　Then she threw her head back, laughed, and added: 'Boy, I could have said something worse and then I'd really be in trouble.

　　'Mind you, the problem with saying that I get to sleep with Michael every night is that it was done on television and it's on tape forever'.

　　There was further amusement at the star-studded award ceremony as Tom Cruise's wife Katie Holmes towered over Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe.

　　The audience laughed as the pair appeared alongside each other to present an award to Scarlett Johansson.

　　Zeta Jones and Douglas have two children Dylan Michael, 9, and Carys Zeta, 7, and have been married for almost ten years.

　　The star won for her role, playing an actress, in the musical A Little Night Music. She admitted she was having trouble taking it all in.

　　

　　

　　Winning moment: Catherine was shocked at her win as she was not the favourite

　　'I'm in a state of shock to be totally honest with you. I can't believe I won the Tony Award.I couldn't believe I'd been nominated with a group of such great actresses,' she said.

　　Zeta Jones then clutched her Tony trophy tighter and joked:'I'm wearing Versace and a Tony right here', as she cradled it to her chest.

　　It was an evening that saw London productions and British actors win a raft of golden gongs at the Tonys including honours for actors Douglas Hodge and Eddie Redmayne.

　　Scarlett Johansson was another movie star who won a Tony. She collected hers for best supporting actress for her role in A View from the Bridge.

　　

　　Red carpet drama: Catherine keeps her smile in place despite clumsy David Furnish, Elton John's partner, treading on her stunning gown

　　

　　Oh what a show: Catherine performed a number from the musical A Little Night Music at the awards ceremony in New York

　　Denzel Washington and Viola Davis won best actor and actress in a play for the passionate drama Fences.

　　Last year the musical Billy Elliot won ten Tony Awards.

　　No single show won that many this year but the Donmar Warehouse Theatre's play Red won six Tony Awards including those for Best play, best director for Michael Grandage and best supporting actor for Eddie Redmayne.

　　Welsh star Zeta-Jones moved past her recent fashion disasters to make a stunning winner in a chic strapless baby blue Versace gown.

　　Actress Scarlett Johansson won an award for her Broadway debut in the Arthur Miller play A View From A Bridge.

　　

　　

　　Which way to the emerald city? Nominee Scarlett Johansson looked stunning in an emerald green floor-length gown as she arrived at the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York last night

　　She showed off her stunning figure in a emerald green Elie Saab gown and backcombed bouffant-style updo.

　　While Zeta-Jones arrived with husband Michael Douglas, notoriously-private Johansson declined to pose with actor husband Ryan Reynolds on the red carpet, who was spotted arriving separately 10 minutes later.

　　Accepting her trophy for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for A View From A Bridge from Katie Holmes - who made a bad fashion choice with her shapeless Giorgio Armani Prive silk chiffon dress - and Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, the emotional star said: 'Ever since I was a little girl I've wanted to be on Broadway...'

　　The 25-year-old thanked her husband during her speech: 'To my Canadian, whom I live with, Ryan thank you for becoming a theatre widower with me.'

　　

　　

　　Little and large: Actress Katie Holmes towers over Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe as they present the award for Featured Actress in a Play to Scarlett Johansson for her role in A View From The Bridge.

　　Other early winners included British playwright Alan Ayckbourn with a Lifetime Achievement Special Tony Award. His 74th play is set to open this summer.

　　British director Terry Johnson won best musical director Tony for his work on musical La Cage Aux Folles, which started life at the tiny Menier Chocolate Factory Theatre near London Bridge. The show moved into the West End and then transferred to Broadway in the Spring.

　　Johnson faced formidable competition and was not seen as the front runner to win the Tony, hence his droll comment during his acceptance speech.

　　

　　

　　Date night: Naomi Watts looked chic in a nude floor-length gown as she arrived with partner, Best Actor in Play nominee Liev Schreiber (left) while Melanie Griffith and Antonio Banderas matched in black

　　

　　

　　Leading men and their ladies in red: Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith (left) and former Frasier star Kelsey Grammer and wife Camille

　　He said: 'I'd like to thank my fellow nominees because without whom I'd have written a speech'.

　　Former Frasier actor David Hyde Pierce was also the recipient of a special award for his charity work.

　　The actor flew into the Big Apple from London, where he is currently rehearsing the forthcoming West End production of La Bete.

　　The show was opened by rock group Green Day, who recently became acquainted on Broadway due to a musical called American Idiot, based on their 2004 album of the same name.

　　

　　

　　Glee-ding ladies: Lea Michele, who plays Rachel Berry in Glee, performs Don't Rain On My Parade, while her Glee-co-star Kristin Chenoweth also entertained the audience

　　

　　

　　Rising stars: Glee stars Lea Michelle and Matthew Morrison appeared onstage at the awards show

　　Another one of the night's musical highlights came when Lea Michele the leading lady of TV show Glee walked through the auditorium singing Don't Rain on My Parade from the musical Funny Girl, a number first made famous by Barbra Streisand in the 1964 stage musical and the 1968 film.

　　She and Matthew Morrison, who plays teacher Will Schuster in Glee - and who said later that he was heading to London to record a solo album - had the audience cheering them to the rafters.

　　Making a date night out of the ceremony was Melanie Griffith, who wore a black cocktail dress and a handsome accessory in the form of her husband Antonio Banderas.

　　

　　Ladies night: Catherine poses with best actress in a play winner Viola Davis who won along with her co-star Denzil Washington for passionate drama Fences

　　

　　

　　Feminine frills: Former American Idol judge in a peach mermaid dress (left), while Lucy Liu looked stunning in a strapless baby pink creation

　　Nominee Denzel Washington skipped the red carpet altogether and he and his wife ran from their limo straight into the Radio City Music Hall. He did, however, find two seconds to make a peace sign to the Daily Mail reporter.

　　British-Australian actress Naomi Watts was a late arrival as she and partner Liev Schreiber dashed into the ceremony.

　　Schreiber was up for Best Performance by a Leading Man in a play for his role in A View From A Bridge alongside Johansson.

　　Sex And The City heart-throb Chris Noth, otherwise known as Mr Big, got one of the biggest cheers of the night from the soaked crowd that lined 50th Street opposite Radio City Music Hall.

　　

　　

　　

　　Down the Great White Way: (L-R) Best Actress nominee Laura Linney in a blue mini, former Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams in a Gothic asymmetrical number and Best Actress in a Musical nominee Christiane Noll in maroon

　　Latin singer Ricky Martin, who 'came out' as gay three months ago, also drew plenty of cheers as he walked up the soggy carpet.

　　The 38-year-old has agreed to play Che in the musical Evita on Broadway in a couple of seasons time.

　　Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe apologised for the downpour that drenched the red carpet for the Tony Awards.

　　He laughed as he quipped: 'Ah, the rain.I'm sorry for it but I promise you I didn't bring it over with me from England'.

　　

　　

　　Black looks: Helen Mirren and Broadway actress Idina Menzel, who cameoed in TV show Glee as the long-lost mother of Lea Michele's character Rachel Berry

　　

　　

　　

　　Variety is the spice of life: (L-R) Actress Kerry Washington went for a draped Grecian style, Kristin Chenoweth went for a white bejewelled mini, while Aretha Franklin wore a sparkly bronze number

　　He explained how he had been 'singing and dancing day in and day out' in preparation for his musical theatre debut on Broadway in the show How to Succeed in Business Without Even Trying.

　　The musical opens next Spring and is his first major assignment after completing the last of the Harry Potter films.

　　While the stars braved the downpour to see who had won, one nominee stayed away this year.

　　Jude Law sent word that due to 'family holiday commitments' he wouldn't be at the ceremony, despite being nominated for Best Performance By a Leading Actor In A Play for Hamlet.

　　

　　

　　

　　Eye-catching: (L-R) Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy shimmered in a gold, Best Actress nominee Viola Davis in a satin lime halterneck and former Sopranos actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler in a tie-dyed maxi dress

　　

　　

　　

　　Suited and booted: (L-R) Johansson's husband Ryan Reynolds, Christopher Walken and Ricky Martin

Versace: In search of some young rock ’n rollers

　　

　　The presence of Gian Giacomo Ferraris, the new chief executive of Versace, at the Baselworld watch fair in March underlined an increased focus on the luxury fashion brand’s watches and jewellery line.

　　Mr Ferraris chose the opportunity to confirm a new watch line, to be introduced this year.

　　“To capture the young generation, the rock ‘n’ roll young women, I think we need to have ready at the end of this year the Versus line of watches,” says Mr Ferraris.

　　Versace, one of the world’s most famous luxury fashion brands, is synonymous with high-octane glamour. Its watches make up 7 to 8 per cent of turnover.

　　But while the aesthetic may spell exuberant confidence, behind the scenes the books have told a different story.

　　An operating loss of €30m ($41.8m) was recorded in 2009; in October last year, the business was restructured at the expense of 350 jobs – 25 per cent of the company’s workforce – and the Burago accessories plant in northern Italy was closed in order to centralise production.

　　Mr Ferraris, the former Jil Sander chief executive, was the force behind the recent structural sea change.

　　Promising to guarantee the future of the brand and bring it back into profitability, he has emphasised the importance of accessories in his new business structure, since taking over in June 2009.

　　“Clearly, this year the company has to balance the business with accessories. They now represent 35 to 40 per cent; I intend to balance them, so that accessories represent 50 per cent.”

　　Placing emphasis on accessories such as watches and jewellery is commonplace for luxury fashion brands; in many cases they form the backbone of a business.

　　The new Versace strategy is in line with other luxury fashion diffusion lines, such as Emporio Armani, DKNY, and D&G, which all have watch ranges aimed at the younger consumer.

　　According to James Lawson, director of Ledbury, the luxury market research specialists, accessories are attractive for a number of reasons.

　　“First, they tend to be at a lower price point, acting as entry level products for people coming to the brand for the first time,” says Mr Lawson.

　　“They also allow brand advocates to complete their wardrobe. Second, they are frequently manufactured by others, under licence, so the economics can be attractive. A third reason is that they tend to sell well in emerging markets, as a result of the brand’s high visibility on the product, as opposed to, say, clothing,” he says.

　　Versace’s new watch range will be an extension of Versus, the fashion brand’s diffusion line, which was resurrected in September 2009 after a five year hiatus.

　　“It is the duty of a fashion brand: we must capture the young generation,” says Mr Ferraris.

　　“We need to direct a certain customer segmentation and I think Versus is the answer to this , long-term strategy.”

　　Donatella Versace will oversee the design and the licensing agreement with the Timex group will also continue, “watches – Swiss watches – are very specific. To design watches, you need technical [expertise]. You cannot do everything – to control this input is to perform for the end consumer,” says Mr Ferraris. The average price of a Versus watch will be about €200, while a special project, including more expensive watches will be announced toward the end of the year.

　　The style of the Versus watches has yet to be confirmed, although if the Versace watch line is anything to go by, they may be relatively classic in approach.

　　“Donatella’s vision is in producing for the clients this energy, this glamour, but also a minimalist interpretation. I assure you it is very business-like,” says Mr Ferraris on the style of the Versace watch line.

　　Versace will also expand its stand-alone watches and jewellery stores. After opening one in Rome in 2007, and another in Dubai in 2009, Roberto Selva, Versace’s director of licencees, confirmed other openings.

　　“The idea is another, maybe, in 2010 and another in 2011. It could be two strong locations: one could be European and one could be East Asia. We have 44 per cent of our sales in the Middle East, in the US about 12 per cent, Europe 15 per cent, and the rest is China – that is the emerging market now.”

　　Why is a stand-alone more effective than combined accessories and clothing? “You can express the lifestyle world of Versace,” says Mr Ferraris.

　　“In certain areas you also have to be recognised as unique in this kind of distinction, to be more powerful in terms of expression.”

　　And the timing, according to Mr Lawson, could be just right. “The watch sector had a torrid 2009, but is bouncing back now,” he says..

　　“Category expansion has to be carried out carefully, ideally into sectors where the brand’s attributes map easily.

　　“In other words, our research shows that one of the core Versace brand attributes is glamour, which translates well within watches and jewellery.”

　　Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. You may share using our article tools. Please don't cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web.

'The Real Housewives of New Jersey' Recap: Dina is Out, Danielle Finds Her 'Sexy'

　　

　　

　　Citing her fears of Danielle Staub, Dina Manzo announced her departure from The Real Housewives of New Jersey on tonight's episode.

　　"The girl is freakin' obsessed with me, I swear," Manzo said. "I don't know if she wants to be me or skin me and wear me like last season's Versace. Danielle is dangerous."

　　"I'm not really sure what she's even capable of doing, but I'm not going to be here to find out."

　　So, so long Dina. While your cats kinda creeped us out, you were likable ... and obviously, intelligent given tonight's news.

　　During the rest of the show, Danielle was trying to reawaken her sexual side ... though it's unclear by what standards it was asleep. She does make a peculiar statement about her friend's huge dog and how she wants a chihuahua, but if she doesn't start dating soon she's going to have to go with the bigger dog.

　　Huh?

　　When Steve -- yes, Steve who Staub accused of secretly recording the sex tapes -- showed up at Jacqueline's house for poker night, Jacqueline felt the need to chastise him for leaking the tapes. Steve said he wasn't even in the tapes, that Danielle just filmed herself "doing these crazy things to herself" and sent them to him.

　　Jacqueline has since accused Danielle of leaking the sex tape herself.

　　But back to poor repressed Danielle and her sexual reawakening ...

　　"It' s going to take a lot for me to feel like it's OK that I'm single and want to be sexy, " Danielle declares while strutting around in lingerie for her new found gang of women friends, who actually look like real housewives.

　　Then it's off to the strip club where she takes to the pole like the professional she is was. She says stripping is empowering and that she's "all about empowering women".

　　Then after dismounting the pole says, "This what worked for the father of my children. You saw my house, right?"

　　Her bodyguard/ex-con, Danny, looks like he's going to hyperventilate with desire as he watches and throws money at her. "Even Danny has joined the crusade to get me back into the dating scene," she says.

　　Of course, that's why he's there.

　　But whatever it is, the pole dancing works, and just like that it became very clear to Danielle that "I still do have my sexy."

　　Well then, watch out guys. Danielle is on the prowl, and as she told her new besties earlier, she is "not calm in the boudoir".

 

Zeta-Jones Among Brit Winners At Tony Awards

　　

　　Just days after being honoured with a CBE, Catherine Zeta Jones has won a Tony award.

　　The British-born star was awarded best actress in a musical for her role as Desiree in Steven Sondheim's A Little Night Music.

　　Dressed in a light blue Versace gown, she gave her film star husband a nod in her acceptance speech.

　　Pointing to Michael Douglas she said: "See that man there? He's a movie star and I get to sleep with him every night."

　　Zeta-Jones is just one of the big screen stars to make a successful cross-over to theatre.

　　Scarlett Johansson's Broadway debut in A View From The Bridge earned her a Tony for best featured performance by an actress.

　　

　　First time nominee Scarlett Johansson wins a Tony for her debut Broadway role

　　The Lost In Translation star said working on stage was a dream come true.

　　"Every since I was a little girl I wanted to be on Broadway and here I am."

　　Two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington also picked up a Tony for his role in Fences, the revival of August Wilson's family drama.

　　But it was a very good night for the Brits at the event in New York's Radio City Music Hall.

　　Playwright Alan Ayckbourn received a lifetime achievement award and Douglas Hodge was named best lead actor for his role in La Cage Aux Folles.

　　British production Red, about painter Mark Rothko, was the overall winner of the night.

　　

　　Catherine Zeta-Jones picks up her award

　　The play, which transferred from London's West End to Broadway, won six awards including best play and best actor for Briton Eddie Redmayne.

　　He plays the young, increasingly disillusioned assistant to Rothko, played by Alfred Molina.

　　"This is the stuff dreams are made of. Wow," Redmayne said, clutching his prize.

　　Brit Michael Grandage got the best director prize with Red also receiving Tony Awards for best lighting design of a play, best sound design and best scenic design.