Patricia @ W Magazine - Bloom Town

Sharif Hamza - Photographer

Giovanna Battaglia - Fashion Editor/Stylist

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2012: Monday, February 6, 2012

This is by no means a complete list of models and shows at the Paris Fashion Week.
The list below will be updated daily until the fashion week event is over.

Special Thanks for Fendie @ FND for his help with ID-ing all the girls.

Number of Shows this Season:
Chiharu Okunugi (Nathalie): 6
Cindy Li (WM): 1
Jennifer Koch (City): 2
Lee Hye Jung (Major Paris): 3
Lili Ji (Elite Paris): 4
Lina Zhang (Elite Paris): 13
Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris): 14
Mackenzie Hamilton (Viva): 2
Ming Xi (Elite Paris): 4
Shanina Shaik (Next Paris): 3
Shu Pei (Next Paris): 6
Si Tanwiboon (Elite Paris): 1
Sissi Hou (IMG Paris): 3
So Young Kang (Marilyn Paris): 7
Sui He (Nathalie): 7
Sung Hee (?): 1?
Tian Yi (Marilyn Paris): 10
Tao Okamoto (Elite Paris): 6 [Close:1]
Xiao Wen (IMG Paris): 9
Xiao Xin Li (Elite Paris): 3

Model: Lina Zhang (Elite Paris)
Designer: Céline

Model: So Young Kang (Marilyn Paris)
Designer: Chloé

Models: Lee Hye Jung (Major Paris), Sissi Hou (IMG Paris) & Mackenzie Hamilton (Viva)
Designer: Léonard

Model: Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris)
Designer: Pedro Lourenço<.div>

Models: Shanina Shaik (Next Paris) & Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris)
Designer: Stella McCartney

Model: Xiao Wen (IMG Paris)
Designer: Vanessa Bruno

Models: Tian Yi (Marilyn Paris) & Lina Zhang (Elite Paris)

Designer: Yves Saint Laurent

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2012: Sunday, February 2012

This is by no means a complete list of models and shows at the Paris Fashion Week.
The list below will be updated daily until the fashion week event is over.

Special Thanks for Fendie @ FND for his help with ID-ing all the girls.

Number of Shows this Season:
Chiharu Okunugi (Nathalie): 6
Cindy Li (WM): 1
Jennifer Koch (City): 2
Lee Hye Jung (Major Paris): 2
Lili Ji (Elite Paris): 4
Lina Zhang (Elite Paris): 11
Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris): 12
Mackenzie Hamilton (Viva): 1
Ming Xi (Elite Paris): 4
Shanina Shaik (Next Paris): 2
Shu Pei (Next Paris): 6
Si Tanwiboon (Elite Paris): 1
Sissi Hou (IMG Paris): 2
So Young Kang (Marilyn Paris): 6
Sui He (Nathalie): 7
Sung Hee (?): 1?
Tian Yi (Marilyn Paris): 9
Tao Okamoto (Elite Paris): 6 [Close:1]
Xiao Wen (IMG Paris): 8
Xiao Xin Li (Elite Paris): 3

Models: Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris) & Tao Okamoto (Elite Paris)
Designer: Akris

Model: So Young Kang (Marilyn Paris)
Designer: Alex Mabille

Models: Tian Yi (Marilyn Paris) & Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris)
Designer: Costume National

Models: Lina Zhang (Elite Paris), Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris), Tao Okamoto (Elite Paris), Sui He (Nathalie) & Xiao Xin Li (Elite Paris)
Designer: Hermes

Model: Lee Hye Jung (Major Paris)
Designer: John Galliano

Models: Shu Pei (Next Paris), So Young Kang (Marilyn Paris), Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris), Tian Yi (Marilyn Paris), Xiao Wen (IMG Paris), Sissi Hou (IMG Paris), Jennifer Koch (City), Lili Ji (Elite Paris), Lina Zhang (Elite Paris), Chiharu Okunugi (Nathalie) & Tao Okamoto (Elite Paris) [Close]
Designer: Kenzo

Models: Shu Pei (Next Paris), Ming Xi (Elite Paris) & Shanina Shaik (Next Paris)
Designer: Maiyet

The World's Most Expensive Coin: Double Eagle

The World's Most Expensive Coin: Double Eagle

“A Double Eagle is a gold coin of the United States with a denomination of $20. (Its gold content of 0.9675 troy oz was worth $20 at the then official price of $20.67/oz). The coins are made from a 90% gold (0.900 fine = 21.6 kt) and 10% copper alloy.

Although the “eagle”-based nomenclature for gold U.S. coinage is often assumed to be a nickname, the “eagle”, “half-eagle” and “quarter-eagle” were specifically given these names in the Act of Congress that originally authorized them («An Act establishing a Mint, and regulating Coins of the United States», section 9, April 2, 1792). Likewise, the Double Eagle was specifically created as such by name («An Act to authorize the Coinage of Gold Dollars and Double Eagles», title and section 1, March 3, 1849).

The first double eagle was minted in 1849, coinciding with the California Gold Rush. In that year, the mint produced two pieces in proof. The first resides in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. The second was presented to then Treasury Secretary William M. Meredith and was later sold as part of his estate – the present location of this coin remains unknown.

In 1850 regular production began and continued until 1933 (when the official price of gold was changed to $35/oz by the Gold Reserve Act). Prior to 1850, eagles with a denomination of $10 were the largest denomination of US coin. $10 eagles were produced beginning in 1795, just two years after the first U.S. mint opened. Since the $20 gold piece had twice the value of the eagle, these coins were designated “double eagles”. In 1850, the double eagle had the purchasing power of about $560 in 2011 dollars”. – Wikipedia

Photos: Peter Swanston of the London Mint Office holds a “Double Eagle” gold twenty dollar coin at Goldsmith's Hall on March 2, 2012 in London, England. Nearly half a million of these coins were originally minted in the midst of the Great Depression in the US. Only 13 are known today after the rest were melted down before they ever left the US Mint, sacrificed as part of a strategy to stabalise the American economy. In 2002 a Double Eagle sold at auction for $7.6 million.

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2012: Saturday, February 2012

This is by no means a complete list of models and shows at the Paris Fashion Week.
The list below will be updated daily until the fashion week event is over.

Special Thanks for Fendie @ FND for his help with ID-ing all the girls.

Number of Shows this Season:
Chiharu Okunugi (Nathalie): 5
Cindy Li (WM): 1
Jennifer Koch (City): 1
Lee Hye Jung (Major Paris): 1
Lili Ji (Elite Paris): 3
Lina Zhang (Elite Paris): 9
Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris): 8
Mackenzie Hamilton (Viva): 1
Ming Xi (Elite Paris): 3
Shanina Shaik (Next Paris): 1
Shu Pei (Next Paris): 4
Si Tanwiboon (Elite Paris): 1
Sissi Hou (IMG Paris): 1
So Young Kang (Marilyn Paris): 4
Sui He (Nathalie): 6
Sung Hee (?): 1?
Tian Yi (Marilyn Paris): 7
Tao Okamoto (Elite Paris): 3
Xiao Wen (IMG Paris): 7
Xiao Xin Li (Elite Paris): 2

Models: Tian Yi (Marilyn Paris), Xiao Wen (IMG Paris) & Lina Zhang (Elite Paris)
Designer: Cacharel

Models: Liu Wen (Marilyn Paris) & Sui He (Nathalie)
Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier

Model: Xiao Wen (IMG Paris)
Designer: Loewe

Models: Lili Ji (Elite Paris) & Chiharu Okunugi (Nathalie)
Designer: Tsumori Chisato

Model: Lina Zhang (Elite Paris)
Designer: Viktor & Rolf

Models: Xiao Wen (IMG Paris), Shanina Shaik (Next Paris) & Si Tanwiboon (Elite Paris)
Designer: Vivienne Westwood

Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic Cigarettes

“An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is an electrical device that simulates the act of tobacco smoking by producing an inhaled mist bearing the physical sensation, appearance, and often the flavor and nicotine content of inhaled tobacco smoke; though without its odor, and intended to omit its health risks. The device uses heat (or in some cases, ultrasonics) to vaporize a propylene glycol- or glycerin-based liquid solution into an aerosol mist, similar to the way a nebulizer or humidifier vaporizes solutions for inhalation.

The modern electronic cigarette's design was devised by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik in 2003, though the earliest known description of its concept was authored by Herbert A. Gilbert in 1963.

Most electronic cigarettes are portable, self-contained cylindrical devices the size of a ballpoint pen or magic marker; though sizes vary, mainly due to differing battery capacities. Many electronic cigarettes are designed to resemble actual cigarettes or cigars, or even pipes. Most are also reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts, but some models are disposable.

The primary stated use of the electronic cigarette is an alternative to tobacco smoking, or a smoking cessation device, as it attempts to deliver the experience of smoking without, or with greatly reduced, adverse health effects usually associated with tobacco smoke.

The possible benefits or adverse effects of electronic cigarette use are a subject of disagreement among different health organizations and researchers. Controlled studies of electronic cigarettes are scarce due to their relatively recent invention and subsequent rapid growth in popularity. Laws governing the use and sale of electronic cigarettes, as well as the accompanying liquid solutions, currently vary widely, with pending legislation and ongoing debate in many regions. Concerns have been raised that use of the device still might carry health risks, and that it could appeal to non-smokers, especially children, due to its novelty, flavorings, and possibly overstated claims of safety”. – Wikipedia

Photos: Electronic cigarettes lie in front of bottles containing the flavoured liquids they use at a shop on March 1, 2012 in Berlin, Germany. The German government has announced that it classifies the liquids used in electronic cigarettes as pharmaceuticals because the liquids contain nicotine, and that sale of the liquids requires certification. An estimated 1.2 to 2 million people in Germany use electronic cigarettes, and the retailers that sell the liquids now face the problem that they are breaking the law. Electronic cigarettes have thus far been in a legal grey area with some lawmakers pushing for conclusive studies to determine their potential health effects.