Established 1961 31

Wednesday, November 22, 2017 Lifestyle Fashion

structed bras towards more comfortable intimate wear. Victoria’s Secret is banking on its name recognition and top models like Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio and their Chinese counterparts to win over women in China who are increasingly inter- ested in expressing their sexuality, say social and fashion analysts.

Quality and cachet As Communist-era prudity slowly recedes, lingerie has become one of the fastest-growing segments in the Chinese US model Martha women’s apparel market, according to mar- Hunt presents a ket-intelligence firm Mintel. The firm pre- creation dicts it will grow to 148 billion yuan ($22 bil- during the 2017 lion) by 2020, up 32 percent from 2015 Victoria’s Secret numbers. “Chinese consumers are receptive Fashion Show to foreign brands that ooze quality and in Shanghai. cachet,” said Matthew Crabbe, Mintel’s — AFP photos regional trends director, calling the Victoria’s Secret fashion show “a great way to raise consumer awareness”. Portuguese model Sara Sampaio But he added that Victoria’s Secret was China lifts up model who fell entering “a tough retail market with many SHANGHAI: Victoria’s Secret brings its racy annual competitors”, both foreign and domestic. fashion show to Shanghai on Monday night, making “Foreign brands have to do their homework. on Victoria’s Secret catwalk its debut in China’s growing lingerie market in typi- They must learn about the local market cally brazen style but with added Chinese flair. dynamics, the culture and the consumers- English heart-throb Harry Styles headlines the musi- especially how diverse consumers are hina’s internet saw an outpouring of and finish.” “The future road is long. I will cal acts who will perform as the world’s top models across China,” he said. The show has not support yesterday for model Ming Xi, always continue walking.” Chinese netizens strut in skimpy bras and underwear in Shanghai’s been not without controversy. Top US model who apologized to the country for praised Xi for getting up, straightening the C Mercedes Benz Arena, in what the US lingerie brand Gigi Hadid withdrew Friday after Chinese tripping on the catwalk of the first-ever elaborate floral-themed decorative frame on dubs the sexiest show on earth. Victoria’s Secret fashion show held in her her back and finishing her walk. “My heart The show, now in its 23rd year, has faced past country. Xi, who was born Xi Mengyao, went broke watching that. But Ming is still pretty! criticism for leaning heavily towards western models, US singer Miguel performs during the 2017 down after stepping on the train of her flow- Go girl!” said one of thousands of Weibo but this year it will feature a record 55 women from Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. ing costume during the comments. Supermodel 20 countries. They will include eight from China-also show in her hometown Karlie Kloss chimed in on netizens savaged the 22-year-old over a a new high-led by the country’s top model Liu Wen, Shanghai. Xi’s feed. “You handled months-old video clip showing her making a the first Asian on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s The spotlight was on that with such grace and squinty-eyed “Asian” face-accusing her of

highest-paid fashion divas. She reveled in the excite- participants like Xi after elegance. Sometimes you racism. ment of “walking” in her homeland. Victoria’s Secret chose a trip and fall but it’s how US fashion media have also run uncon-

“ I will always “The VS show is different each year, but this time firmed reports that Russian models Julia record seven Chinese- you get back up that mat- it is even more special because it is in China and in origin models for the ters, and you got up like a Belyakova, Kate Grigorieva and Irina continue “ Shanghai,” Liu, 29, told AFP during make-up on annual show-which is champ and owned it. Love Sharipova, and Ukraine’s Dasha Khlystun, Monday afternoon ahead of the show. “We can be broadcast in over 190 you Ming!” Kloss said. were slated to walk in the show but were thankful that China is such a big market, so there countries-as it seeks to walking The racy exhibition of denied Chinese visas. The show’s climax could be so many Chinese faces appearing. So per- break into the country’s skimpy bras and panties, comes when a model dons the jewel- sonally I feel proud of my own country.” Victoria’s growing lingerie market. now in its 23rd year, was encrusted “Fantasy Bra”. This year Brazil’s Secret is hoping to win a slice of that market, with But Xi was the only one recorded Monday but airs Lais Ribeiro will model a $2 million bra by Monday’s glitzy gala following the opening of its of the 55 models in the globally on November 28. Swiss-based luxury-goods company first two super-stores in China this year, in Shanghai show to suffer the occupational hazard of US media also reported that singer Katy Mouawad studded with nearly 6,000 gem- and Chengdu. The company’s sales in its home US falling on the catwalk, in what quickly became Perry was expected to perform but was stones. The show tapes in Shanghai on market have sagged this year, with analysts blaming one of the top-trending items on China’s denied a Chinese visa. The reports suggested British singer/musician Harry Styles performs Monday night but will not air globally until its slow-footed response to a trend away from con- Twitter-like Weibo. “I’m sorry to let everyone China was upset that Perry had previously during the 2017 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. November 28. — AFP down. Thanks for everyone’s concern,” Xi, 28, draped herself in the flag of diplomatic rival said on Weibo. “As a model for seven years, I Taiwan and performed in colors implying have fallen on this road many times, but I support for those on the island opposing know no matter how painful it is, I must stand closer relations with China. — AFP

Victoria’s Secret models pose to mark Chinese model Ming Xi falls as she presents a creation during the 2017 Victoria’s Secret Fashion the countdown to the Show in Shanghai. — AFP 2017 Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

Olivier Poivre d’Arvor said. Alaia, dubbed the “King of Cling” for his form-fitting gowns, was Supermodel leads buried in the famous blue and white village of Al Nasser reveals new Sidi Bou Said on the shores of the Mediterranean. An AFP journalist saw Campbell mourning for fashion’s leaving Alaia’s home surrounded by dozens of autumn winter collection people to head for the cemetery of Sidi Bou Said in the northern suburbs of Tunis. Visibly ‘King of Cling’ moved, she picked her way between the ceme- tery’s modest white tombstones on Khelfa’s arm. President Beji Caid Essebsi, Alaia’s relatives and upermodel Naomi Campbell and Tunisia’s aged 77 after winning a worldwide following. public figures took part in the commemoration. president led mourners in a final tribute Campbell and fellow fashion icon Farida Khelfa, Culture Minister Mohamed Zine El Abidine paid SMonday to French-Tunisian fashion close friends of Alaia, accompanied his remains tribute to Alaia, saying the designer’s work had designer Azzedine Alaia, who died this month from France to Tunisia, French Ambassador expressed “the quintessence, the beauty, the fertile imagination” of Tunisia. Among Alaia’s admirers at the funeral, Tunisian designer Salah Barka gave homage to the man he considered to be a master. “I learned a lot with Azzedine Alaia,” he said. “He sculpted women’s bodies. I learned to mix colors, to blend materials, to give character...” Alaia was born to a farming family in Tunisia in 1940 and studied sculpture at the capital’s fine arts school before working at a modest neighborhood dressmaker’s shop. He moved to Paris in the late 1950s, working briefly for Dior and Guy Laroche before going solo, winning a reputation for sexy designs cele- brating the female form. His muses ranged from French actress and singer Arletty to Hollywood l Nasser announced the arrival of latest comfort shoes of the latest winter icon Greta Garbo and statuesque Jamaican autumn winter season 2017/2018, trends, suitable for work, including spe- singer and actress Grace Jones. characterized by warm colors in cial occasions, with leather, velvet and Alaia gained world fame in the 1980s with A addition to cotton and wool. A variety of other material making from every step a tight black shorts and back-zipping skirts, autumn, elegant and colorful collection, special one. designs that helped define the confident female with its models falling under the theme of Come visit us and discover the fall silhouette of the time. He refused to march to the new season and manufactured with season this winter. Through the branches the beat of international fashion weeks, however, details and quality to suit its budget. of Al Nasser spread throughout the State releasing his collections in his own time with A range of theme colors and designs of Kuwait, we provide everything a family scant concern for publicity. Among others, Alaia offers many color options ranging from needs under one roof which makes it fun British model Naomi Campbell, left, mourn as she and Tunisian-Italian model Afef Jnifen, right, attend the dressed pop sensation Tina Turner, supermodel navy blue, dark red, yellow to dark to shop and save time and effort with the funeral of the late Tunisian fashion designer Azzedine Alaia, who died this month aged 77, in the Sidi Bou Carla Bruni, and former American first lady green, in addition to the designs of the best quality and prices. Said cemetery in the capital Tunis. — AFP Michelle Obama. — AFP