The ‘California King Bed’ singer has been signed up by the Italian Fashion house to appear campaigns for Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani jeans. Rihanna – who will appear in ads for the fall-winter 2011-2012 collections, which were shot in New York City and debut in September – follows in the footsteps David and Victoria Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Megan Fox in representing the brand.

Earlier this year, Rihanna was named as spokesmodel for Nivea. The cosmetics brand teamed up with the ‘What’s My Name’ hitmaker to celebrate their 100th anniversary and released a photo of her posing seductively and apparently naked. A representative for the brand, Markus Pinger, said: "We are excited to have Rihanna supporting us in our celebration and building a new generation of fans."

The 23-year-old star has previously revealed she likes to shock people with her fashion choices. Talking about her future look, the 22-year-old star said: "I probably see a lot of menswear, or something extremely, extremely feminine. But I like to play with both. It would have to be so extreme that it’s a look, because I don’t usually like typical ladylike, girly-girly stuff. It would be a look if I were to do it. I always like something that’s a little off, so it’s just not typical or expected."

Neben der Unterwäsche wird die 23-jährige außerdem für die Jeans der italienischen Modemarke werben. Es ist für beide Seiten vermutlich ein äußerst lukrativer Deal.

Bereits im September sollen die ersten Bilder von Rihanna für Emporio Armani veröffentlicht werden. Bis dahin müssen wir uns noch gedulden.

Als die Braut zum Altar schritt, jubelten die anwesenden Gäste am roten Teppich. Das geradlinige Kleid aus 130 Metern Duchesse-Seide mit Stickereien in Form von Blumen betonte ihre makellose Figur. Die Schultern waren frei, ihr Gesicht verhüllte ein zarter Schleier.

2500 Arbeitsstunden investierten die Armani-Schneider in den Traum in Weiß. Alleine die Schleppe aus Seide und Tüll nahm rund 100 Stunden Arbeit in Anspruch.

Standesgemäß für eine frisch gebackene Fürstin funkelten neben den Kristallen rund 20 000 Perlen und sogenannte Perlmutt-Tränen auf ihrem Brautkleid. Ihre Haare trug sie – ähnlich wie bei der standesamtlichen Hochzeit – zu einem Dutt gesteckt.

Anerkennung von einem ganz Großen: Stardesigner Karl Lagerfeld lobte Charlenes Hochzeitskleid – obwohl es von der Konkurrenz ist: „Das Kleid ist äußerst elegant“, sagte der Designer im Fernsehsender „France 2“. Charlene habe darin bezaubernd ausgesehen.

Lagerfeld selbst hat die Kleider für Fürst Alberts Schwester Caroline und deren Tochter Charlotte entworfen, die beide zur kirchlichen Trauung trugen.

Fürstin Charlene verzichtete bei der Zeremonie auf Ohrringe und Kette – stattdessen schmückte eine Spange mit silberförmigen Blättern und Diamanten ihr Haar. Das Schmuckstück bekam sie von ihrer Schwägerin Prinzessin Caroline von Monaco geliehen. Der monegassischen Tradition folgend trug Charlene weder Krone noch Diadem.

Eine Ähnlichkeit mit Fürstin Gracia Patricias Hochzeitskleid vom 18.April 1956 lässt sich nicht erkennen. Die Hollywood-Schönheit trug bei der Hochzeit mit Fürst Rainier III. ein hochgeschlossenes Kleid aus Spitze der Kostümdesignerin Helen Rose.

Fürst Albert trug zur weißen Uniform eine schwarze Krawatte. Die Jacke zierten Orden und goldene Knöpfe.

In unserer Fotogalerie oben sehen Sie Fürstin Charlene in ihrer Armani-Robe.

In his hand is a dual sim card “Nokia” mobile phone. As if this is not enough, he is wearing a Giovanni Rossi shoe.

At the end of the day he drives home in his just imported Toyota Mark II. When he arrives home he turns on his “Philips” television and “Sony” DVD player, sits back and enjoys the pirated movie he had bought in the street. All these renowned labels are just counterfeits.

Counterfeiting is the unauthorised representation of a registered trademark carried on goods identical or similar for which the trademark is registered.

The sole purpose is to deceive the purchaser into believing that he or she is buying an original product.

Many Zimbabweans are duped to believe that their goods, including technological gadgets, clothing items and detergents – are genuine labels only to find out that in the long run, the goods were either counterfeits or just copycats.

In Harare, places such as the Gulf Complex are awash with these products. They are usually imported from the Asian markets.

Juan Xiang, a stall holder at the complex, said some of the goods are rejects and others are cheaper quality material coated with established labels.

“Where on earth can you find a Giorgio Armani suit costing less than $100? We are talking about a celebrated brand with its origins in Italy. The suits that are sold here are imported from Dubai and they cost about $25 there only, while the original label costs around $500,” he explained.

Hassan "Sam" Ibrahim, his sister Armani Stelio, family bodyguard Semi "Tongan Sam" Ngata and Alicia Sutherland have been charged after a man was allegedly detained at a Ryde unit and taken against his will to a nearby ANZ bank.

It will be alleged Mr Ibrahim, Mr Ngata and Ms Sutherland took the man to the bank at Top Ryde to force him to withdraw tens of thousands of dollars.Police said that the alleged victim was ordered to the Ryde unit where Ms Stelio lives about 2.30pm.

When he arrived at the bank he was able to get away from his alleged kidnappers by grabbing the arm of the bank manager and locking them both in an office.

Police arrived a short time later and arrested Mr Ibrahim and Mr Ngata as well as Ms Sutherland who had driven the three men to the bank.

A search warrant was executed at the Ryde apartment late yesterday, which led to the arrest and charging of Ms Stelio.

All four have been charged with kidnapping under aggregation and are due to appear in Parramatta Local Court today.

Dress appropriately. Just remember that less is always more, says Kristi Sainchuk, so don’t try and wear all the hottest trends at once.

"Stick with one trend and do it right," advises the full-time fashion stylist at Southgate Centre.

For example, colour blocking -loud and proud combinations. Pair a bright pink top with a pair of kelly green jeans, or a bright orange shirt (orange is the "new red") and bright pink pants, she says.

It’s a very 1980s trend that’s big again this season for women AND men.

"Bright colours -primary and pastels -have been around for years, but it takes a while for men to catch on," says fashion stylist James Kershaw.

"There are still guys out there who won’t wear certain colours because they think it’s unmasculine, but the modern, up-to-date fellow, there are very few if any colours he won’t attempt to wear."

A word of warning: "Colour blocking is tricky to wear because you are blocking off the body with colour, and generally you have to be tall and fairly slim to pull it off," Kershaw says, "so be careful."

If you’re not a real fashionable or trendy person, "go cheap and cheerful" with trends, Sainchuk says. If you are a real fashion person and you’re going to wear what’s trendy, then go ahead and spend the money, she adds, "but I think most people want to know that it’s OK not to spend money on trendy stuff."

Here are some thoughts from Sainchuk and Kershaw on 10 other warm-weather must-haves:

White all over

White, especially all-white, is having a huge moment, Sainchuk says. Pair white pants with a white blazer and a little sheer white shirt underneath. Don’t forget the little white dress.

The line on stripes

Horizontal stripes that look almost sailor-like, but with a modern twist are everywhere from T-shirts and polos, to dress shirts, Sainchuk says.

Minimalism (less is more)

Very plain, almost boxy T-shirts, and blouses, with no buttons or detail whatsoever, are trending, Sainchuk says. It’s this season’s version of the futuristic look that always makes the top-10 list.

Peek-a-boo

Sheer, see-through fabrics for men -sheer cottons, sheer linens that show the outline of the body are a huge trend, "but it’s not a super wearable look for everybody," Sainchuk warns.

Romantic boudoir

Also known as "sexy ballet," this Style is captured in colours such as peach, pink, almost-nude, and light grey; in fabrics such as organza and lace; and in trims such as ruffles. "Paired with white, it’s a really, really big storyline," Sainchuk says.

Eastern Promises

An Asian-Eastern look that features lots of colour, large floral prints and really silky materials. Pair a kimonoshaped top with a pair of bright skinny jeans and you can do no wrong, Sainchuk says.

Two silhouettes

The very lean-looking silhouette continues to be popular, especially with younger guys, but you’re also seeing a looser silhouette, Kershaw says. "The latter reminds me of Armani in the ’70s and ’80s -a slightly slouchier jacket, a fuller pant, that kind of thing."

Chino pants for men are back, but they’re also skinny, says Sainchuk, and look like your pants are almost too short, because hems barely skim the tops of shoes.

The skinny jean

Still big, Sainchuk says. "The word ’skinny’ scares people away, but the best thing about skinny jeans is that they’re not supposed to make people look skinny. They allow you to create a great look with longer tunic-type tops and belts." OK, it’s not for everybody, "but they’re really not as limiting as everyone thinks," she says.

Suits

The double-breasted suit is back in, and the one-button and two-button suits popular the last two years are on the way out, Sainchuk says. The jackets are not really structured, so they can be paired with jeans for a casual style that looks great. And indigo blue is edging out navy and grey as the other go-to colour, with black.

What’s afoot

Gladiator sandals were huge last year and you’ll see lots of them around now, but espadrilles -a flat shoe with a canvas or cloth upper, and rope, rubber or crepe heel are moving in, Sainchuk says.

"The wedge is THE heel of the season, in varying heights," Kershaw says, but the kitten or Sabrina heel -a short slender heel with a slight curve, 3.5 centimetres (1.5 inches) to five centimetres (two inches) high, is also making a comeback.

For men, all ages are wearing the Converse sneak, he says. "But you’re also seeing tri-toned lace-up brogues, oxfords, even loafers, but worn in a more modern way with casual jeans.

"Lace-up boots are also huge, huge, huge," Kershaw says, worn unlaced and open at the top with pant legs casually tucked in.

"Ten years ago, the look would have been considered slovenly and sloppy, but that’s the way people are wearing boots now, and they’re wearing them year-round."

When you enter the chic lobby of the property -after the doors, of course, have been opened for you by doormen in all-black Armani uniforms -your lifestyle manager magically appears.

Somehow he knows your name and greets you by it before whisking you up to your suite.

Check-in is a seamless couple of minutes and then you are left alone to truly take in your magnificent surroundings.

The 144-suite hotel was designed by and named after Italian Fashion icon Giorgio Armani and as such reflects his sleek, yet comfortable, minimalist esthetic.

"This definitely is the Armani experience," the hotel’s public relations director Sarah Walker-Kerr tells me.

"Anything the guest touches has to be okayed by Mr. Armani himself."

As such, the public areas from the lobby and the restaurants to the business centre and even the bathrooms are a reflection of what Armani’s own homes look and feel like.

"It’s understated and stylish, not opulent in any way," Walker-Kerr explains.

That continues into the suites where curved walls, feng shui principals and materials ranging from ice cave marble and woven plastic to glass and the finest cottons combine to create a cocoon of designer exclusivity.

Naturally, this place is in the world’s tallest building, Dubai’s new and famous 160-storey Burj Khalifa, adjacent to the world’s largest shopping centre -the 1,200 store Dubai Mall.

The only way for Canadians to arrive directly in the United Arab Emirate of Dubai is on Emirates Airline’s superjumbo A380 -the largest airplane in the world.

If you’re sensing a biggest-boldestbest theme with Dubai, you’re right.

Most of Dubai is less than a decade old and built during an unprecedented boom fuelled by Middle East oil money.

As such, the skyscrapers are architectural feats, the shopping luxury, the hotels and restaurants topnotch and embellishments spectacular -from ultrawide tiled sidewalks and palm-treed plazas to mind-boggling amusements (a ski hill at the mall, for example) and fountains.

In fact, my suite overlooks the largest one in the world that sprouts, spins and sprays every half-hour to music.

The famous fountains set to music at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas are now No. 2.

But back to those lifestyle managers at The Armani.

The hotel has eight and each of them has four assistants, so really a small army caters to your every whim from unpacking and packing your suitcases to event tickets and restaurant reservations.

One of the reservations you’ll definitely want to make is at Atmosphere upstairs on the 123rd floor.

Usually snagging a table at the world’s highest restaurant and lounge (again that biggest theme) requires a three-week wait.

But for Armani guests the table will be waiting tonight.

The view from Atmosphere is aweinspiring, reinforcing just how shiny and new this desert mega-tropolis on the Persian Gulf really is.

Atmosphere doesn’t do anything tacky like rotate.

This is a good time to point out that while The Armani is prestigiously in the world’s tallest building, it occupies floors one to eight and floors 38 and 39.

The rest of the 828-metre Burj Khalifa is taken up by condominiums and offices, including the work space of the tower’s developer Mohamed Alabar on the 153rd floor.

Armani got into the business after talking to Alabar about extending his influence into hotels.

And what better name for these hotels than Armani, a name and brand instantly recognizable as fashionable and luxurious.

An Armani Hotel will open in the fashion designer’s hometown of Milan by year end and then one will open in Morocco in 2012.

After a fashionable stay in the city it’s time to head out into the wild desert.

Which brings us to Al Maha Resort & Conservation Reserve a 45-minute drive away. The 225-square-kilometre reserve is mostly untouched to let the oryx (looks a bit like a deer) run free.

But on a hillside oasis the resort has been built with a main lodge and 42 individual Bedouin-Style compounds. Bedouins are the original tentdwelling nomadic people of the region.

While a huge tent forms the roof and patio awnings, this is no tented temporary structure, but a stunning little house complete with Arabian Nights décor, its own grounds and its own infinity pool overlooking the desert.

Besides totally relaxing in your own compound, the next best thing to do at Al Maha is the Camel Trek.

The resort has its own camel stable and just before sundown is the time to ride one of these desert pack animals a half-hour into the sunset.

Our group dismounts the camels just in time to run to the top of a sand dune -glass of champagne in hand -to toast the brilliant show of orange on the horizon.

Al Maha also offers horseback riding on retired Arabian race horses, a falconry demonstration, nature walks and four-byfour desert safaris.  Vancouverites will have to get themselves to Toronto to catch the 13-hour Emirates Airline non-stop flight on the Airbus A380 to Dubai.

. Return airfare starts at around $1,500 for economy, or you can splurge $8,670 for business class, which includes lie-flat seat beds, gourmet food and much more.

. The A380 is a double-decker with 399 seats downstairs in economy and an upstairs with 14 first class private cabins and washrooms with spa showers and the 76 business class pods.

. Check out Emirates. com, ArmaniHotels.com or LuxuryCollection.com

. Nightly room rates start at around $500.

. Nights at the Armani Hotel and Al Maha Resort and Conservation Reserve can be purchased as part of an Emirates package or separately.

More than 70 people showed up early Saturday morning for a free appointment at Perfect Smiles Dental Care, 8650 Candlelight Lane. Owner Kelly Bridenstine allowed the first 100 patients to have a cleaning, filling or tooth extraction performed.

This is the second year Bridenstine has held a Dentistry From the Heart event at Perfect Smiles. Last year, Bridenstine donated more than $14,000 of dental care during his event. Dentistry From the Heart is a nonprofit program that coordinates free dental care events across the country throughout the year.

Brad Bishop, 25, got to Perfect Smiles at 6:45 a.m. — he was the 24th person in line. He said that he hasn’t had dental insurance since he graduated college and that this was the first time he’s been able to get his teeth cleaned in three years.

“My mom used to be a dental hygienist … so she’d be appalled by how long it’s been since my last checkup,” he said.

For 53-year-old Debbie Baker, the event couldn’t have come at a better time. She’s unemployed and hasn’t had dental insurance for several years.

“It’s a godsend because I just had my tooth start to hurt a couple days ago,” she said. “I’d gotten used to getting my teeth cleaned four times a year … but lately I don’t take care of things as well as I should, now that I’m without insurance.”

Bridenstine said the event is a way for him and other local dentists to work together and give back to the community. They have the opportunity to keep a small problem from becoming much worse, he said.

“Not getting a tooth extracted when it needs to be can cause a severe jaw infection,” he said. “Tooth pain can disrupt your home life, your work life … and in one day we’re taking that away.”

Back then, Rodeo Drive was a destination for locally owned independent boutiques, both hip and luxe, including Theodore, where retailer Herb Fink sold the Brigitte Bardot-St. Tropez look to Cher and other stars; and the West Coast outpost of New York’s funky store Paraphernalia, merchandised by Fashion school grad-turned-movie director Joel Schumacher.

Rock Hudson, Jack Lemmon and other Hollywood leading men bought their suits at Carroll & Co., founded by former Warner Bros. publicist Richard Carroll. I. Magnin department store scion Jerry Magnin had a menswear boutique on Rodeo too, as well as the franchise for the ralph lauren store. There were also restaurants and clubs on the street, which attracted foot traffic and led to sales.Families would roll up with two limousines; one for themselves and one for their purchases. "You used to have a much better chance of stargazing if you walked Rodeo Drive," said Fred Hayman’s longtime publicist Katy Sweet. "Today, with all the back entrances and private changing rooms, the stylists and home delivery service, there’s not as much of that."

"From 1970 when I opened, there were 95% locals on the street, and maybe one or two international nameplates — gucci and hermes," Magnin said. "Today, there are virtually no locals … and if the owner of the store is 5,000 miles away, it’s not going to have the same feeling as if Fred Hayman rips a suit off the wall and says, ‘You would look great in this.’"

Sono molte altre le star che hanno scelto il made in Italy: in primis la bella Rosario Dawson che ha scelto un abito lungo in chiffon color rosso di Roberto Cavalli; ottima scelta anche per l’ex modella Claudia Schiffer che ha preferito affidarsi ad un capo nero in pizzo di Dolce & Gabbana.