Building on its international success in London and Paris, AOFM Pro recently opened its doors in New York City with course offerings to the next generation of makeup artists in the Big Apple. Instruction covers the full spectrum of essential makeup skills for fashion, editorial, runway, and bridal. AOFM Pro chooses a unique, up-to-date approach to learning makeup within a relaxed, professional environment. Teaching students to think outside the box and nurturing their creative talent, AOFM Pro’s philosophy is to welcome a different tutor each day to provide students with a complete range of knowledge and skills. AOFM Pro tutors are selected from the best of the best and have worked with the most renowned names in fashion including Vogue, Tatler, Dior, Versace and numerousHollywood celebrities.

 Students also have the opportunity to participate in a real photo shoot with professional models, hair and fashion stylists, and a photographer. Students carry out both an editorial and a beauty look that they can then use to start their professional portfolio. AOFM Pro will fly two students each year from its New York academy to London to take part in Fashion Week, furthering their international experience and overall education. New York and London graduates can also enter to be awarded one of the four scholarships offered to all AOFM Pro graduates comprised of an all expenses-paid trip to Paris to shoot with some of the biggest names in Europe.

Created and directed by Jana Ririnui, AOFM Pro is the first makeup academy to be fully owned and operated by freelance makeup artists. Students are instructed in small classes by a variety of industry professionals with unique skill sets, ensuring that each gains a broad level of training and hands-on experience. These aspiring artists learn from the very best including freelance artists Yin Lee, Barbara Braeunlich, Valentina Creti, Angela Deacon, Philippe Miletto, and Michelle Webb.

 AOFM Pro is one of the main sponsors of London Fashion Week, contributing to more than 60 designer shows each year. This enables more than 300 backstage experience opportunities for students, making AOFM Pro the ideal choice for anyone wanting to get into the fashion industry.

 AOFM Pro also recently launched the expanded version of their book Makeup is Art, published internationally and leading the way in fashion makeup. AOFM Pro is supported and sponsored by Bobbi Brown, Shu Uemura, Bare Escentuals, Inglot, St. Tropez, MAC, Rimmel, NARS, Stila, Benefit and Lancôme, and is the only makeup school in the world supported and sponsored by Dermalogica.

Couture Fashion Week VIP After Party

Join the Couture Fashion Week New York  team for an unforgettable party after the fashion shows at Nino’s Tuscany Steakhouse. Tickets still available.

• Open bar
• Hors d’oeuvres
• Live entertainment
• Red carpet

The Couture Fashion Week event will be held September 16-18, 2011 at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York City. Find out about all the beautiful events & celebrations, and to purchase tickets to the Red Carpet VIP Party  at:

http://www.couturefashionweek.com/news.htm

In the Designer Spotlight “Designs of Living Art” by Pilar Macchione, will showcase the California-based fashion designer Pilar Macchione will show her latest collection at Couture Fashion Week New York at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday September 17, 2011. The fashion show will be held in the famed Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, and will be followed by the showing of the latest collection by designer/producer Andres Aquino.

  Pilar Macchione grew up in Buena Park, California and showed an affinity for art and design at age 7 when she began sculpting dresses on dolls. Her professional training began in 1999 when she moved to Florence, Italy to study art and design at Ent-Art Polimoda, accredited through FIT in New York.  She returned to California where she interned with designer Zandra Rhodes and later moved to London where she attended the University of Arts. While in London, Ms. Macchione’s designs were featured in the British magazine Jack.

  Her designs were selected over the work of 150 other students to represent the London College of Fashion in the “Modniy Desant” fashion event in St. Petersburg, Russia. The show brought Ms. Macchione attention from the Russian press as well as London television. Her designs appeared in Closermagazine with British actress Carol Voderman wearing Ms. Macchione’s feather-trimmed evening cape. The cape was also featured in a Tony & Guy advertisement.

  In 2005 Pilar Macchione was chosen to present her graduate collection at the First China (International) Student Design Competition in Guangzhou. She then went on to work with London designer Giles Deacon for two seasons, during which time she designed eclectic platform sandals that were featured in British Elle.

  Most recently, Ms. Macchione worked with leading costume houses, including the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Opera, and Bob Mackie’s studio, where she developed a keen sense for pattern cutting, draping and clothing construction. In 2008 she earned her MA in Theatre/Costume Design from the UCLASchool of Theatre. While at UCLA, Ms. Macchione was awarded a scholarship from the University of Arts London to work for the prestigious NSK textile company in New Delhi, India.

 With a solid background in fashion and costume design, Pilar Macchione approaches each new design as a work of moving sculpture. Her distinctive creations appear on the runway as living art.

 Join us for the Couture Fashion Week VIP After Party

An unforgettable party after the fashion shows at .

• Open bar
• Hors d’oeuvres
• Live entertainment
• Red carpet

http://www.couturefashionweek.com/news.htm   

Visit the Designer’s website at: http://www.pilarmacchione.com/

Couture Fashion Week’s Preferred Car Service

Aimed at providing effortless transport in the lap of luxury, Quintessentially Driven is an unrivaled bespoke car service. Our fleet of luxurious long-based Jaguar XJs provides the smoothest ride possible and the ultimate in rear passenger comfort with almost a meter of legroom and fantastic in-car entertainment. Should a different car suit your need, we have a wide range of MPVs, Mercedes, BMWs and Rolls Royces at our fingertips. All Quintessentially Driven’s chauffeurs have many years of experience and offer a truly professional service. Their unparalleled knowledge of the roads will ensure your journey goes off without a hitch and that you arrive at your destination in a relaxed and timely fashion. Available by the hour or for specified longer distance journeys, including all airports, using Quintessentially Driven couldn’t be easier. We are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. www.quintessentiallydriven.com

One of the fine artists and other product and service exhibitors

at the 2011 Couture Fashion Week event in New York City

will be award-winning surrealist artist Michael Cheval.

Mr. Cheval’s paintings will be on display at the prestigious event

September 16-18, 2011 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

Absurdity is the starting point of Michael Cheval’s creations.

He identifies his art with the Theater of the Absurd of Beckett and Ionesco,

and with the films of Greenaway and Bunuel. 

A world-renowned and award-winning artist,

Michael Cheval lived, studied and worked in Germany

and Turkmenistan as well as his native Russia,

before emigrating to the USA in the late 1990′s.

He gathered artistic inspiration and developed his unique style and direction along the way. 

Mr. Cheval is a past recipient of the annual New York National Arts Club award and regularly exhibits at various New York and European galleries, as well as at International Art Expo held annually at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York.

He is a member of Society for Art of Imagination (London, UK)

and participates in annual European exhibitions held by the Association.

In 2009 he was the recipient of the Palm Art Award from

the Jury and Art Domain Gallery in Leipzig. His art has been

featured in a number of books including Dreamscape,

a compilation of the work of the  world’s top 50 surrealist artists,

and the Best Of Worldwide Artists  Volume I (Kennedy Publishing, USA).

In 2003 Mr. Cheval’s first monograph album Lullabies was published in collaboration

with Interart Gallery, and in 2007, he published his second album, 

Nature Of Absurdity, that  defines his singular artistic vision.

Michael Cheval recently completed the official 

portrait commissioned by world-renowned 

actress and artist Gina Lollobrigida.

Visit the artist’s website for more information: http://www.chevalfineart.com/

Couture Fashion Week is a multi-day event showcasing couture and luxury fashion. It also includes exhibits of luxury brands and fine art as well as world-class entertainment and receptions. The event is held at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City and occasionally in other selected cities and is attended by upscale consumers, invited VIPs, the press and high-end store buyers. Couture Fashion Week offers unique branding opportunities for luxury products and services.

Visit the event website:  www.CoutureFashionWeek.com  

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Across the Unites States of America people of every color, race and creed, join together to recognize a doctrine of “All men are created equal” and that the right to purse what was endowed by the Creator to have the freedom in Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, shall continue to reign across these great lands. This is the legacy that the United States Declaration of Independence gives to everyone upon the soil of this great country and to those Citizens of the United States who may be away for whatever reason on foreign lands, on this day July 4th 2011.

And as our First Lady Michelle Obama shares that, “Today, my husband and I will welcome troops and their families from across the country to the White House for a special USO concert and a great view of the fireworks on the National Mall.”

The event will be broadcast live from the White House at the following link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/live starting at 7 p.m. EDT.

The First Lady continued to share her sentiments in a press release from the White House:

“This Independence Day, I hope you’ll join me and my family in recognizing both our brave men and women in uniform and their families for everything they do to protect our country and our way of life.

We know that when our troops are called to serve, their families serve right along with them. For military kids, that means stepping up to help with the housework and putting on a brave face through all those missed holidays, bedtimes and ballet recitals. For military spouses, it means pulling double-duty, doing the work of both parents, often while juggling a full-time job or trying to get an education.

That’s why, a few months ago, Dr. Jill Biden and I started Joining Forces, a nationwide campaign to recognize, honor, and serve our military families. Our troops give so much to this country and they ask us for just one thing in return: to take care of their families while they’re gone. So we’ve put out a call to action. We’re urging all Americans to ask themselves one question: What can I do to give back to these families that have given so much?

To answer that question you can go to JoiningForces.gov and learn more about how you can get involved. And you can get started right now through Operation Honor Card by pledging to spend a certain number of hours serving military families in your community.

Our motto for Joining Forces is very simple: Everyone can do something. We’ve met folks in every corner of the country who are stepping up and helping out in their own small ways in their neighborhoods and in their communities. They’re popping over to rake the leaves, or bringing a family a home-cooked meal, or offering to babysit. And I know that if we each do whatever we can, if we all join forces, we can show military families across this country that we have them in our hearts, we have them in our prayers, and we always have their backs. “

Happy Independence Day!

Sincerely,

First Lady Michelle Obama
———————————————–

The Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of Hospitallers or simply Hospitallers, were a group of men attached to a hospital in Jerusalem that was founded by Blessed Gerard around 1023 out of which two major Orders of Chivalry evolved, the Order of the Knights of St. Lazarus and the Order of the Knights of St. John.

The Orthodox Branch of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem was established in perpetuity by his Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Grand Master of the order of Paul, 1 of Russia in 1798. Spanning a tradition of over the centuries and still holding their status with the Orthodox Branch of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem being direct descendents of the established order by Paul 1. The orders exemplary work continues with the call to caring for others. The ancient ministry “the Russian Grand Priory” of their forebears still continues to extend benefits, hold fundraisers to collect and help various individuals, from Orphans, to the Homeless, and to assist the unfortunate who have medical needs.

And next week “the Order of the Orthodox Knights of Saint John Russian Grand Priory” in New York will hold a Soiree Caucasienne Benefit Gala under “the Imperial Protection of the House of Romanov” to benefit Orphans & Street Children of Georgia and other Charities of the order of Saint John. To be held on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 7:30 pm, at the Abigail Adams Auditorium at the Colonial Dames of America site located at 417 East 61st Street, in New York City.

The event raises funds for the Orders Humanitarian work throughout the world and will feature a Gala of songs by St. Nino’s Choir with Luiza Tsaava as the Conductor. The evening will continue with Dinner and the Pesvebi Dancers under the instruction of Victor Sorelson, Director, and an exhibit of Paintings of the Caucasus. The event is organized by the H.E. Grande Dame Countess Nicholas Bobrinskoy, the Executive and Honorary Committee hosting this Gala Event to raise money for the Orphans & Street Children of Georgia. In attendance will be Royalty, Dignitaries and special guest and those who wish to support the Humanitarian work.

To find out more information on how to make a tax deductible contribution or to RSVP to attend the event please RSVP by contacting the Headquarters of “the Russian Grand Priory” at (914) 667-6004 and in the evenings at (914) 664 5649.

Though there’s no way to identify the skeletons with 100% certainty, “all of the evidence we have gathered points towards the relics belonged to Chrysanthus and Daria,” investigation leader Ezio Fulcheri said.

It is said that both of them were buried alive nearly 2,000 years ago.

Fulcheri told the media that after examining the details, it can be said with conviction that both, man and woman, seemed to be healthy at the time of their deaths. She is considered to be a woman in her mid-20s.

She was a vestal virgin, a high priestess of Rome dedicated to the goddess Vesta, before converting to Christianity.

“She had the characteristics of a vestal virgin,” a source added. “But we can’t be certain.”

Chrysanthus was the son of a rich senator, who became a Christian and started preaching the religion all over.

His father thought of getting him married to vestal virgin Daria in order to protect his son. However the plan did not work out, as thought of. Soon, Daria was also converted to Christianity. Both of them were tortured and finally buried to death.

The recent discovery of the skeletons and the scientific conclusions points towards the legend of Chrysanthus and Daria. They were very much a part of our living culture and civilization.

In 2007 The managing director of the World Bank Mr. Graeme Wheeler observed in a vital dialogue speaking to senior government officials, students of the Royal Institute of Management and senior educationists, that in all respects, the behaviors we are seeing internationally are illustrated by the Buddhist symbols of the three poisons depicted by the pig, the rooster and the snake, representing ignorance, anger and greed.

And today in 2011 his speech still holds true globally as no resolve to the major failures of the Global Corporations and Financial Systems to stop the recapitulation and resolve the errors in our current global systems and make Humanity and the Environment the top priority on the corporate balance sheets of the world.

In review Wheeler outlined in dialogue on change; a mission for “The Endless Knot: An Economic Path toward Gross Inter- National Happiness”

He said in many respects, the behaviors we are seeing internationally are illustrated by the Buddhist symbols of the three poisons depicted by the pig, the rooster and the snake, representing ignorance, anger and greed.

The Managing Director of the World Bank said, Bhutan can play a critical role in showing the world how to respond to climate change and for humanity. He said Bhutan has been practicing what other countries need to do.

Mr. Wheeler said we need to extend the concept of Gross National Happiness to Gross International Happiness.

The daring policies of the Bhutanese Government conducive
to the implementation of development that responds to the
basic needs of the people (including their happiness), while
designing a competitive approach to business that stand up against the giants (India and China) surrounding this
tiny Himalayan nation.

Bhutan and Gross National Happiness His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, not only turned the absolute monarchy of his Himalayan Kingdom into a democracy, but also stated
early in his reign that happiness is more important than growth. That vision is now known to the world as Gross National Happiness (GNH).

The first elected Government has taken pragmatic decisions to strengthen economic progress while safeguarding GNH. The mandate to protect 60% of its current prime forests and the guaranteed access to traditional medicine parallel to modern medicine (both engrained
into the constitution), prohibiting the sale of cigarettes nationwide, the commitment to be a net carbon sink forever, as well as Bhutan‘s policies on plastic bags (banned), junk food (taxed) and luxury cars (also heavily
taxed), sets the stage for a world society we all aspire to be part of.

However, the pressure to grow is high, unemployment poses a new challenge, and access to satellite television and internet entices many to emulate a consumption model we all know is not sustainable.

Next month Bhutan sets the stage to share its models and action with Gunter Pauli, adding to his examples of The Blue Economy; the Government of Bhutan has signaled its resolve to turn the country into a benchmark for social and economic development:

1. the first bio-plastics nation of the world converting
only agro-waste into functional plastics, inspired
by Novamont in Italy;

2. the first fossil free nation in the world guaranteeing
mobility tapping resin from its trees as the prime
and hopefully soon only liquid fuel source, inspired
by Las Gaviotas in Colombia;

3. the first urban design that ensures water efficiency
and health locally, eliminating the need for septic
tanks, sewage and centralized water treatment, inspired
by EcoCycleDesign in Sweden;

4. the first to pursue organic agriculture nation-wide,
starting with hotels and restaurants catering to international
tourists; and,

5. to create a GNH Center where the world could
experience and learn how Bhutan strives towards
happiness while developing the capacity to respond
to the needs of all.

Bhutan clearly goes beyond the best green economy
we have imagined to date – thus achieving global benefit
as well as the benefiting the people in Bhutan.

Gross National Happiness

GNH was established to express an indicator that measures
quality of life or social progress in more holistic
and psychological terms than gross domestic product
(GDP). The term was coined in 1972 by Bhutans fourth
king who used the phrase to signal his commitment to
building an economy that would serve Bhutan‘s unique
culture based on Buddhist spiritual values.

The four pillars of GNH are the promotion of sustainable
development, preservation and promotion of cultural
values, conservation of the natural environment, and
establishment of good governance.

These are further defined into eight general contributors to happiness physical, mental and spiritual health; time-balance;
social and community vitality; cultural vitality; education;
living standards; good governance; and ecological vitality.

The Centre for Bhutan Studies developed a sophisticated survey instrument to measure the population‘s general level of well-being as well as policy screening tools which can be used to examine the potential impacts of projects or programs on GNH. Proposed policies
in Bhutan must pass a GNH review based on a GNH impact statement.

It is with these guiding principles that Gunter Pauli joined by leaders from around the world will be meeting in June and creating dialogues on how GNH has formed models that can be used globally in the Blue Economy projects currently being implemented in Bhutan and brought forth to the world.

On that hope that their findings will be put into action in other countries around the world to model a true model and system of Gross International Happiness as envisioned by the managing director of the World Bank Mr. Graeme Wheeler in 2007.

“The tour is positive step to develop amicable relation between both nations that have long contention and needed cultural bonding to rethink and join hands for better tomorrow, said Alicia Alonso, director and ballet legend of Cuban Ballet.

Though friendly initiatives already began through positive steps this new tour by Cuban Ballet is a latest edition in the series of such cultural exchanges post designation of the U.S. President Barack Obama.

Presidential term of Obama is considered best effort to rectify ideological misunderstandings between US and Cuba. Longtime differences could lessen through finding common grounds.

Initiatives by Cuban Ballet is assumed effective step in this regard for reassured relation between the two countries soured since 1959 revolution of Cuba which brought political and cultural gap.

The Cuban Ballet will perform in Washington, New York, Costa Mesa, California and Los Angeles to entertain large chunk of people during a long US stay till June 26.

The 90 year old nearly blind Alonso was leading dancer in American Ballet Theatre in 1940s and 1950s. She returned to Cuba once revolution began and Cuban National Ballet formed.

Encouragement of ‘people-to-people’ contact by Obama through cultural exchanges paved the way for new beginning, says a representative of Cuban Bullet excitingly.

Obviously Goon Show fans would have enough reason to cheer up with a celebration of the world of Spike Milligan and rest Goons at the London pub at which this show had begun more than half a century ago. Although Spike Milligan and its partner teams had to face tough situation but ambitious show didn’t shut down ever.

The 60^th anniversary of the show since its first episode marked an influential radio shows of all times in the UK. Specialty of this celebration will be the rendezvous of survivor artists of the show to join hand by coming together with new talented showbiz generation at the special showcase at central London pub.

The occasion is expected to be unveiling of plaque and message the gathering will listen from the Prince Charles. Publican, scriptwriter and Secombe’s manager Jimmy Grafton had lit blue touchpaper when the show was inaugurated then which remains imprint in the memories for many including BBC team.

Goon Show came into limelight in 1951-1960 with enough publicity it had then. Its plaque declares the nostalgia especially great humorists Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe and Michael Bentine would have.

They literally made the show a bang and popular amongst the masses for leaving impact forever.

The tide is changing its position! The country’s highest law institution, the Supreme People’s Court has told the lower courts to suspend death sentence for the next two years.

“Suspend the death sentence for two years for all cases that don’t require immediate execution,” the report confirmed.

China has made few promising changes in the last couple of years to reduce the number of death sentences. There has been a drastic change at the start of this year, when government decided to cut short the number of crimes which result in death penalty from 55 to 13.  The Supreme Court has put the point across that it is only applicable in cases where there is no need for ‘immediate execution’ to be issued.

There is a list of crimes which government is looking to bring down and eradicate it completely. There is also a possibility that those who would be benefitted from the decision may never be executed.

The following is one of the sections of the report: Strictly control and unify standards relating to the death penalty, and ensure that it only applies to a very small minority of criminals committing extremely serious crimes. It marks down the beginning of law reforms in the country as there was ‘some serious thinking’ required over here.