Milan Fashion

Did you know this about Italians and fashion


The story of Italian fashion began on 25th February 1951 when Count Giorgini staged a fashion show for an international audience in Florence.
André Suarès wrote that “fashion is the best form of farce, though nobody laughs because everyone takes part”. Dress has always been regarded as a means of self-assertion in society, an instrunment of personal confirmation and an important means of communication for individuals and peoples. It is also the language of desire: a game of flirting glances and emulation that talks about the evolution of costume, of modesty and of imagination over the centuries; erotic motivation is therefore a dominating impulse that determines one’s choice in clothing.

To sum up, the story of Italian fashion unwinds like a fairy tale for its purpose is fundamentally different from that of fashion in Paris, London or New York. For Italians, fashion is an instrument of social redemption whereby class is determined according to what one wears; elsewhere all of this is inconceivable: beyond the confines of Italy, fashion is only a tool for confirming social status.

AOL Finance Report

I just finished my report on the analysis of the financial reports of AOL for the year ended 31st December 2012. This is an extract from the essay...

 AOL has struggled to reinvent itself as a media and news group since its spin-off from Time Warner in 2009.

Its consolidated financial statements reflect a year on year revenue growth from a loss of $795.3million in 2010 to a profit of $13.5million in 2011 and a subsequent income gain of $1,041.8 million in 2012. Advertising revenue - a key measure for the company as it moves away from subscription-based dial-up services to focus on its media outlets such as the Huffington Post- has risen consistently (7.9% in 2012).

However increasing cost of revenues related to increased traffic acquisition costs and special items and the steady decline in subscription revenues leave room for concern.

Victor Anthony at Topeka Capital Markers concludes that AOL shares may “react positively off the headline revenue outperformance” and profit growth, but added that “we would have liked to see growth in domestic display (advertising) as evidence that AOL can fully compete with Google and Facebook” (http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013 /02/08/aol-shows-signs-of-revival-with-gains-in-advertising/).

YES, THIS WOMAN Just Had a Baby

As if there weren't enough reasons to hate Halle Berry -- native beauty, gorgeous baby daddy, Oscar -- this is Nahla Ariela's mom, just six weeks after giving birth.

CHRIS BROWN'S BODYGUARD Drake Started Club Brawl With 'F***ing' Rihanna

Drake started the blowout NYC nightclub brawl last summer with Chris Brown ... by sending Brown a handwritten note that read "I'm f***ing the love of your life" -- this according to Chris Brown's bodyguard.

DIDDY'S KIDS Covered in 'White Powder' Suit Blames Baby Mama

Diddy's twin daughters were surrounded by drugs and even covered in a mysterious white powder ... this according to a new lawsuit filed against the baby mama.

Nanny Dawn Drago says she worked for Diddy's ex, Kim Porter, from 2011 to 2012. Drago claims in the lawsuit -- obtained by TMZ -- Porter chain-smoked pot in the house while the young girls were home.  

Japan carmakers recall 3.4 million vehicles for Takata airbag flaw

(Reuters) - Four Japanese automakers including Toyota Motor Corp, and Nissan Motor Co are recalling 3.4 million vehicles sold around the world because airbags supplied by Takata Corp are at risk of catching fire or injuring passengers.

The move announced on Thursday is the largest recall ever for airbags made by Takata, the world's second largest supplier of airbags and seatbelts. Shares of Takata tumbled almost 10 percent in Tokyo trading.

Touring in Norfolk

Photos from a tour of one of the many ancient castles in East England.