Fashions News

U.S. presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) arrives for services at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, June 15, 2008
U.S. presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama celebrated Father's Day by calling on black fathers to become more active in raising their children.

Obama, accompanied by his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia, took part in Father's Day services near their house at the Apostolic Church of God -- a large, predominantly black church in the South Side of Chicago.

In his 30-minute speech, Obama spoke about the particular struggles of African Americans and noted that more than half of all black children live in single-parent households.

"What I've realized is that life doesn't count for much unless you're willing to do your small part to leave our children -- all of our children -- a better world," he said.

The Illinois senator said American men need to become more responsible parents. He criticized African-American fathers who "have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men."

Obama bluntly said: "Any fool can have a child. That doesn't make you a father. It's the courage to raise a child that makes you a father."

Obama reminded the congregation of his firsthand experience growing up without a dad. The Illinois senator said he was lucky to have loving grandparents who helped his mother.



U.S. presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama's (D-IL) wife Michelle (3rd L) and their daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 9, listen as he speaks during services at Apostolic Church of God in Chicago June 15, 2008
He got support, second chances and scholarships that helped him get an education. Obama's father left when he was 2.

This was Obama's first time attending a church service since he announced last month that he had quit Trinity United Church of Christ, which he had attended for 16 years, as he sought to calm concerns about comments by pastors there.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee heads back to the campaign trail on Monday with a trip to Michigan, a key state in his November face-off with Republican candidate John McCain.



U.S. presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) listens during services at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, June 15, 2008.

U.S. presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) shakes hands at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, June 15, 2008

U.S. President George W. Bush walks with Britain's Queen Elizabeth in the St George's Hall, Windsor Castle, southern England June 15, 2008

U.S. President George W. Bush is greeted by Air Vice Marshall David Walker as he arrives at Windsor Castle for tea with Britain's Queen Elizabeth in southern England June 15, 2008

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) and First Lady Laura Bush walk at Windsor Castle after visiting Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Phillip in Britain June 15, 2008

U.S. President George W. Bush (R) walks with Britain's Queen Elizabeth, followed by first lady Laura Bush and Prince Philip in the St George's Hall, Windsor Castle, southern England June 15, 2008

Space shuttle Discovery lands at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, June 14, 2008, capping a successful expansion job at the international space station, now more spacious and robust thanks to a new billion-dollar science lab
The U.S. space shuttle Discovery returned home on Saturday at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ending its 14-day construction mission for the International Space Station.

Discovery, with seven astronauts aboard, touched down at 11:15 a.m. EDT (1515 GMT) at Kennedy, the space shuttle's home port, NASA TV showed.


Space shuttle Discovery lands at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, June 14, 2008, capping a successful expansion job at the international space station, now more spacious and robust thanks to a new billion-dollar science lab.
Weather conditions at the landing site were near-excellent for Discovery's homecoming, with light sea breezes, good visibility and scattered clouds at 3,000 feet.

The shuttle continued to come to a full stop on the runway 15 shortly. "Everything looks very good," NASA TV commentator announced.

"Beautiful land, Mark, and congratulations on a great mission," NASA's Mission Control Center radioed to Discovery commander Mark Kelly.

"It's great to be back, great for all of us to be part of a great team and to leave the station a little bigger and a little bit more capable," Kelly replied.

Discovery blasted off into space on May 31, delivering Pressurized Module -- the main part of Japan's Kibo to the space station.

During the 9-day stay at the orbital outpost, astronauts performed three spacewalks. They successfully installed the new module, which is now the biggest of the nine rooms on the station.

The astronauts relocated Kibo's attic-like storage module, which was delivered in March by U.S. space shuttle Endeavour, from a temporary place to the permanent location on the top of the new module.

This is the second of three shuttle flights that launch components to complete Kibo. In the third flight planned in March 2009, Japan and NASA will launch Kibo's porch-like external platform for exterior experiments.

Discovery astronauts also did some maintenance work for the station. They replaced a nitrogen tank, repaired the power supply for one television camera, and inspected the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint on both sides of the station.

Using a new toilet pump delivered by Discovery, station residents repaired a balky toilet in their service module.

In addition to the construction work, Discovery also delivered a new resident for the station. Discovery astronaut Gregory Chamitoff switched places with Expedition 17 Flight Engineer Garrett Reisman, who returned to Earth aboard the shuttle.

"Overall, the mission's been a great success," Discovery Commander Mark Kelly told reporters from space on Monday. "I certainly have a great crew and they're well trained, but there's also a little luck involved."

Although the mission itself went almost flawlessly, Discovery left behind a damaged launch pad on May 31. Some 5,300 bricks flew off the flame trench when Discovery blasted off, most possibly because they were not attached properly to the underlying concrete wall when the pad was built in the 1960s for the Apollo moon shots.

However, NASA managers are confident the launch pad can be fixed in time for the next shuttle flight in October, by Atlantis to give the Hubble Space Telescope the final service call.

The optical microscope on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander shows soil sprinkled from the lander's robot arm scoop onto a silicone substrate in this handout image released on June 13, 2008. This is the first sample collected and delivered for instrumental analysis onboard a planetary lander since NASA's Viking Mars missions of the 1970s
New observations from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander provided the most magnified view ever seen of Martian soil, showing particles clumping together even at the smallest visible scale, the mission science team reported on Friday.

In the past two days, two instruments on the lander deck -- a microscope and a bake-and-sniff analyzer -- have begun inspecting soil samples delivered by the scoop on Phoenix's Robotic Arm.



View from the Surface Stereo Imager on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander shows the first impression dubbed Yeti and shaped like a wide footprint -- made on the Martian soil by the robotic arm scoop on Sol 6, the sixth Martian day of the mission, (May 31, 2008). Touching the ground is the first step toward scooping up soil and ice and delivering the samples to the lander's onboard experiments.
Images from Phoenix's Optical Microscope showed nearly 1,000 separate soil particles, down to size smaller than one-tenth the diameter of a human hair. At least four distinct minerals are seen, the team said.

"I'm absolutely gobsmacked that we're now looking at the soil of Mars at a resolution that has never been seen before," said TomPike of Imperial College London, who is a Phoenix co-investigator working on the lander's Microscopy, Electrochemistry and Conductivity Analyzer.

The sample includes some larger, black, glassy particles as well as smaller reddish ones. "We may be looking at a history of the soil," said Pike. "It appears that original particles of volcanic glass have weathered down to smaller particles with higher concentration of iron."

The fine particles in the soil sample closely resemble particles of airborne dust examined earlier by the microscope.

"This is the first time since the Viking (Mars exploration) missions three decades ago that a sample is being studied inside an instrument on Mars," said Phoenix Principal Investigator Peter Smith on Friday.

Stickiness of the soil at the Phoenix landing site has presented not only challenges for delivering samples but also scientific opportunities.

"Understanding the soil is a major goal of this mission and the soil is a bit different than we expected," Smith said. "There could be real discoveries to come as we analyze this soil with our various instruments. We have just the right instruments for the job."

A Manhattan entrepreneur has found his own way to "have fun" and to profit from the U.S. presidential race -- putting the candidates' faces on condom packages.

Benjamin Sherman, who created the company Practice Safe Policy, has been selling condoms named after Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain around the world for several weeks.

Sherman said the Obama condom carries the slogan "Use With Good Judgment." The McCain version says "Old but not expired." McCain is 71.

According to the website, McCain condoms "are battle tested, strong and durable, for those occasions when you just need to switch your position!" McCain served in the military in Vietnam and was held as a prisoner of war there.

While the company can't guarantee the condoms are 100% effective, it says it's certain "that without wearing one, there's likely to be an Obama-Mama in your future."

"We've done it in fun. People are not actually going to use these condoms," said Sherman, 26.

The 9.95-dollar-per-pair "keepsakes" are so popular that Sherman said he had nearly sold out and expected to order a second shipment this week. He declined to say how many condoms were in each order.

The condoms are generic and the candidates are featured only on the packaging.



A Manhattan entrepreneur has found his own way to "have fun" and to profit from the U.S. presidential race -- putting the candidates' faces on condom packages

A Manhattan entrepreneur has found his own way to "have fun" and to profit from the U.S. presidential race -- putting the candidates' faces on condom packages

Singer Melanie Chisholm, also known as Mel C of the Spice Girls, arrives at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, June 15, 2008

Reality Television star Kristin Cavallari arrives at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, June 15, 2008


Actor Rainn Wilson arrives at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, June 15, 2008

A model presents a creation of the students of Beijing ESMOD Fashion and Art College, member of the ESMOD International Fashion University Group based in France, at the central hall of 798 art zone in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2008. The fashion show, mainly displaying the creations of the first batch of graduates, was a demonstration that showed the effect of the cooperation on fashion education between China and France in recent years.







A model presents a creation of the students of Beijing ESMOD Fashion and Art College, member of the ESMOD International Fashion University Group based in France, at the central hall of 798 art zone in Beijing, capital of China, June 15, 2008. The fashion show, mainly displaying the creations of the first batch of graduates, was a demonstration that showed the effect of the cooperation on fashion education between China and France in recent years.

Chace Crawford gets stuck in the rain at the 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards held at the Chum/City Building on Sunday in Toronto, Canada.

The 22-year-old Gossip Girl hottie presented at the awards show along with Spice Girl Melanie C, The Office star Rainn Wilson and The Hills star Brody Jenner. Other appearance at the show were made by The Hills star Whitney Port, Laguna Beach’s Kristin Cavallari and singer Jesse McCartney.

Rihanna (sans boyfriend Chris Brown) sizzles on the red carpet at the 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards at the Chum/City Building on Sunday in Toronto, Canada.

The 20-year-old R&B queen was awarded Best International Video for “Don’t Stop the Music”, the first award of the night as give out by pop girl group Girlicious.

Rihanna also won an MMVA for the MuchMusic.com Most Watched Video award for her smash hit song “Umbrella.”

The Barbian beauty won both MVMA awards that she was nominated for! Go RiRi

Daniel Radcliffe, star of the Harry Potter films, is in pure shock as he walks the red carpet at the 2008 Tony Awards held at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday in New York City.

Radcliffe, 18, is planning his Broadway debut later this year in Equus. He will be reprising the role he first performed in London’s West End. He appears naked on stage!

DO YOU THINK you’ll buy tickets to see Daniel Radcliffe perform on Broadway?

Leonardo DiCaprio sizzles in white while taking a break from filming his new drama thriller Shutter Island in Boston, Mass., on Friday afternoon.

The Martin Scorsese-directed flick is set in 1954 and is about U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio), who is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island. Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson and Michelle Williams also costar..

Leo must have been really busy and didn’t have much time to eat. The 33-year-old was seen walking to the set while shoveling pasta into his mouth!

Willow and Jaden Smith keep it young at the world premiere of Kit Kittredge: An American Girl at The Grove in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Will Smith, 39, and Jada Pinkett Smith, 36, brought all three of their kids to the premiere. Trey is 15, Willow is 7 1/2 and Jaden is 9 1/2.

Willow, the youngest of the Smith trio plays the Countee character in Kit Kittredge. She also had a small part in I Am Legend, playing the Marley character.

Ethan Hawke and his family celebrate Father’s Day with a casual stroll through New York City on Sunday.

The 37-year-old actor walked through the Big Apple with pregnant girlfriend Ryan Shawhughes and his two kids, daughter Maya Ray, 9 1/2, and Levon Roan, 6. This will be the first child together for Ethan and Ryan.

Maya and Levon’s mother is actress Uma Thurman.

P.S. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the fathers out there! Much love and respect

Tori Spelling and husband Dean McDermott enjoy some giant wieners at Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs in Hollywood late last month.

Since then, Tori gave birth to daughter, Stella Doreen (last week on Monday, June 9).

Tori also recently talked to the Sun-Times about her role on the 90210 spinoff:

“Well, the new 90210 just happened for me, so we haven’t filmed anything for the show as of yet. But this show covers everything in our lives, so I’m sure we’ll cover 90210. As for Donna and David, I really don’t know yet what happens with them. When we left the original series, Donna was very into fashion and wanted to be a designer. She had her own boutique. So I’m hoping her career has really taken off because then I’ll get to wear some really cool clothes. Donna has also always been driven, so we’ll see how that affected her marriage and if they have kids.”

Tori’s new reality show, Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, premieres this Tuesday, June 17 @ 10PM ET/PT on the Oxygen network. For more information on the show, visit Oxygen.com.

Sex and the City star Jennifer Hudson catches a departing flight out of LAX airport in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Next week, J-Hud will present at the June 24 BET Awards, helping to recognize the year’s best musicians, music videos, actors and athletes. Ne-Yo, Terrence Howard and Gabrielle Union will also be handing out awards on stage.

Performers set for the show include Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nelly and Usher.

Quincy Jones will receive the network’s Humanitarian Award and Jill Scott will perform a tribute to BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner Al Green.

Reese Witherspoon channels her inner super soccer mom outside of her Brentwood, Calif., home with daughter Ava, 8, on Saturday.

Earlier this weekend, Reese, 32, was seen with boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal taking private yoga sessions in Santa Monica.

Ms. Witherspoon also recently landed in the Forbes‘ Celebrity 100 List, ranking at #60. The mag said, “Witherspoon will star in the big-budget comedy Four Christmases this winter. She also landed an estimated $30 million, three-year contract to pitch Avon cosmetics.”

Tobey Maguire and his jewelry designer wife Jennifer Meyer take their daughter Ruby Sweetheart, 19 months, to a playground in Beverly Hills on Saturday.

Tobey is part of the NBA Entertainment League and will compete in one of its 16 teams, which enter their 12th season in November.

“I’ve seen guys like Frankie Muniz, who couldn’t shoot a lick, drop 27 points sometimes because he learned how to shoot three pointers,” said league inventor and “commissioner” Shane Duffy. “Guys like [Leo] DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire have hired coaches in-house. These guys want to do better. They don’t want to embarrass themselves.”

Audrina Patrdige works the cameras in a silver sparkly mini at the United States Launch Party for Kira Plastinina on Saturday, June 14, at a custom-built venue in Los Angeles.

The 23-year-old Hills star poses with Plastinina, who is not only a 10th grade student but a renowned fashion designer from Russia. And she’s only 15-years-old!

“When I grew up, I stopped wanting to be a princess. I always said I wanted to be a designer,” Kira has said. “Or do something that has to do with fashion.”

Hayden Panettiere poses on the press line at the United States Launch Party for Kira Plastinina on Saturday, June 14, at a custom-built venue in Los Angeles.

The 18-year-old Heroes hottie cozied up next to Plastinina, who is not only a 10th grade student but a renowned fashion designer from Russia. And she’s only 15-years-old!

Said Plastinina, “Besides school, I also work to design clothes. I love to make collections that express my personality.”

Rachel Bilson attends the world premiere of Kit Kittredge: An American Girl at The Grove in Los Angeles on Saturday.

The 26-year-old actress was acccompanied to the event with younger sister Hattie.

RB was recently asked about an interview where her mother stated that she taught Rachel to ask a flower’s permission before picking it! “I still do!,” say Rachel. “‘I try to be as green as I can. Little things count, like recycling and driving my hybrid car.”

Teen sensation Selena Gomez strikes a pose and smiles at the world premiere of Kit Kittredge: An American Girl at The Grove in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Ms. Gomez, 15, stopped by the “A Time for Heroes Celebrity Carnival” charity event in Los Angeles, earlier in the month.

Is imitation the greatest form of flattery? Do we see a future Miley vs. Selena rivalry? You decide! Check out the video here.

WHICH DYNAMIC DUO do you like more — Miley and Mandy or Selena and Demi?

Mischa Barton and boyfriend/guitarist Taylor Locke are spotted walking around New York City on Saturday.

Earlier in Wednesday, the 22-year-old actress was seen wearing the same boots leaving the dentist’s office!

Mischa has a busy year, with three films coming out — Don’t Fade Away, Homecoming and Walled In.

DO YOU THINK the former OC-actress can make the transition to the big screen?