Fashions News

French company Alstom's AGV speed train is seen on a testing track in Cerhenice near the town of Velim, Czech Republic, some 35 miles (56 km) east of Prague, July 29, 2008

French company Alstom's AGV speed train is seen on a testing track in Cerhenice near the town of Velim, Czech Republic, some 35 miles (56 km) east of Prague, July 29, 2008.

French company Alstom's AGV speed train travels on a testing track in Cerhenice near the town of Velim, Czech Republic, some 35 miles (56 km) east of Prague, July 29, 2008

Virgin Galactic's mothership WhiteKnightTwo is shown on the tarmac during its public roll-out in Mojave, California July 28, 2008. The twin fuselage aircraft WhiteKnightTwo will carry SpaceShipTwo to launch commercial passengers into space.

The space tourism company Virgin Galactic unveiled Monday the new "mothership" for the suborbital vehicle that will take tourists into suborbital space, as well as plans to entice more than just tourists into space.

At the rollout at the Mojave Air and Spaceport in California, Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson made comments that expand the business' potential customer base beyond leisure passengers to include payloads and scientific projects.

The British tycoon said the system "will have the capability to launch small payloads and satellites at low cost."

Virgin Galactic officially declines to offer firm timescales for the project, particularly since last year's accident during early rocket engine development tests in Mojave.

However, company President Will Whitehorn says the project is "getting back on schedule" with the rollout of the mothership, which it calls WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) and the recent resumption of rocket engine test work.

This handout photo courtesy of Virgin Galatic shows Sir Richard Branson (L)and designer Burt Rutan as they walk aside the Virgin Mothership "Eve" (VMS EVE) in Mojave, California on the eve of its official rollout. British tycoon Richard Branson on Monday unveiled a futuristic aircraft that will ferry tourists to the edge of heaven as part of Virgin Galactic's much-anticipated space program.

Branson also said the system "has the architecture that could some day be developed into a passenger carrying vehicle, able to take people from A to B around the planet, outside of the atmosphere."

Virgin Galactic still needs to show this will work. The rollout was of an aircraft that has not yet taken flight.

Virgin Galactic, part of Branson's airline, vacation and retail company Virgin Group, hopes to send its first paying customers into space for 200,000 U.S. dollars (100,300 pounds) each within two years.

Branson said that 200 people had signed up for the ultimate sightseeing trip and that he expected the ticket price to drop significantly over the next five years.

Among the passengers expected to make the first trip are physicist Stephen Hawking, actress Victoria Principal and designer Philippe Starck.

Virgin Galactic is one of several contenders in the new commercial space race.

Virgin Group's Founder billionaire Richard Branson (L) poses with his parents Eve and Ted Branson after he christened Virgin Galactic's mothership WhiteKnightTwo, Eve, in honor of his mother during its public roll-out in Mojave, California July 28, 2008. The twin fuselage aircraft WhiteKnightTwo will carry SpaceShipTwo to launch commercial passengers into space

Photo taken at 7:15 pm (1115 GMT) on Aug. 1, 2008 shows the total solar eclipse at an observation station in Jinta County of Jiuquan City, northwest China's Gansu Province. The total solar eclipse, the first that can be viewed in China in the new century, occured on Friday.

Eclipse tourists who swarmed to small towns in west China's Xinjiang and Gansu were happy to be greeted by bright sunshine on Friday.

"The weather would be favorable for the eclipse observation," said Carolyn Ng, a program manager and science education specialist from NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of America).

She led a 12-member crew to broadcast the solar eclipse live from Yiwu, a small pastoral county in Hami Prefecture 500 kilometers east of Urumqi, Xinjiang's capital.

Wang Kemin, the Beijing Astronomical Observatories deputy director was also optimistic about the weather, estimating a 76-percent chance of success in seeing the eclipse from Yiwu on Friday evening.

The sun eclipse, the first that can be viewed in China in the new century, will begin at 6:59 p.m. Beijing Time, and last for about two hours, although the total eclipse will be only two minutes.

About 10,000 tourists have gathered at an observation square opened on Friday in Yiwu.

The Solar Calendar Square covering 14,600 square meters is the largest observation square in the world, where nine pillars that surround the square will cast shadows indicating changes of the solar term, said Wang.

"The observation preparations made by Yiwu County surprised me. When I came here to make a preparatory field study last year, it was a total wilderness in the area of the square," said Ng, the NASA program manager of the sun-earth connection education forum.

The combination photo shows the total solar eclipse occured in Jinta County of Jiuquan City, northwest China's Gansu Province, on Aug. 1, 2008. The total solar eclipse, the first that can be viewed in China in the new century, occured on Friday.

She said that the county has prepared sophisticated astronomical equipment and broadcasting facilities, which aided broadcasting crews.

The China National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has announced Hami in Xinjiang and Jiuquan in neighboring Gansu Province as the best places in China to observe the eclipse.

Federico Avellan Borgmeyer, manager of travel agency Eclipse City in U.K. and Germany, said that the company had brought 500 foreign tourists, mainly from Europe, to the observation places in Yiwu, Xinjiang and Jiayuguan City in Gansu.

"Most of the international visitors will travel along the Silk Road, after observing the sun eclipse," said Borgmeyer.

Ancient towns in the west China region have become boisterous, after thousands of observers have seized their hold of open areas dotted along the Silk Road, the ancient trade route that traversed the present-day Shaanxi, Gansu provinces and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

According to astronomers here, the next solar eclipse to be seen in China will occur on July 22, 2009. The frequent eclipses could spark a fresh wave of astronomy travel in the country, observed Wu Guangjie, a senior scientist with the CAS.

Cheng Zuo, a research fellow from the Purple Mountain Observatory based in east China's Jiangsu Province said that his research found that 55 years from now, another sun eclipse would be viewed from Yiwu, Xinjiang.

Eclipses are scientifically interesting because they allow a rare glimpse of the cooler corona, glowing gases near the sun's surface and solar flares, which are normally not visible because of the brightness of the sun, he said.

A solar eclipse, which the Chinese word for is 'Rishi', meaning 'eaten sun', can be seen above visitors at the Jiayuguan Fort on the Great Wall of China in the town of Jiayuguan, Gansu Province Aug. 1, 2008.

Photo Taken at 6:44 pm (1044 GMT) on Aug. 1, 2008 shows a part of the total solar eclipse in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The total solar eclipse, the first that can be viewed in China in the new century, occured on Friday.

Partial solar eclipse is seen in Riga, August 1, 2008. Picture taken with special filter.

A bird flies past during a partial solar eclipse in Xiangfan, Hubei province Aug. 1, 2008. A shadow swept across Russia on Friday, delighting skywatchers who flocked to Siberia from around the world to see a rare total eclipse of the sun.

Photo taken at 6:20 pm (1020 GMT) on Aug. 1, 2008 shows a part of the total solar eclipse at an observation station in Jinta County of Jiuquan City, northwest China's Gansu Province. The total solar eclipse, the first that can be viewed in China in the new century, occured on Friday.

Photo taken at 6:37 pm (1037 GMT) on Aug. 1, 2008 shows a part of the total solar eclipse in the north of Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The total solar eclipse, the first that can be viewed in China in the new century, occured on Friday.

Map showing path of solar eclipse which will cross China one week before the start of the Olympic Games

View of a total eclipse of the sun. On Aug. 1, the total eclipse will be visible from within a narrow corridor that traverses half the Earth. The path of the moon's umbral shadow will begin in Canada and extend across northern Greenland, the Arctic, central Russia and Mongolia before ending in northern China

A model displays a creation during a fashion show showcasing Chinese fashion creations for exportation, in Beijing, China, Aug. 5, 2008.

People magazine scored a coup by posting the cover of its upcoming issue feature Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon on the Internet Sunday. Price tag for a peek at the world's most famous twins: 14 million U.S. dollars, according to an unsourced report.

That's more than three times the rumored 4.1 million-dollar deal for big sister Shiloh's baby photos in 2006. People has said the rumored numbers for both deals, as well as those for other famous babies that have adorned its pages, are excessive. But it has declined to elaborate.

The sum involved has developed into an international guessing game. Rumored price tags for Hollywood baby photos are often wildly inaccurate, and Radar magazine recently reported that celebrity publications are not above stoking the hype in order to boost newsstand sales and website traffic.

The Internet debut is a teaser for a 19-page spread that will hit newsstands on Monday.

The proud mamma papa and twins were dressed in white, and the babies had no distinguishing characteristics. A smaller photo in the corner showed Shiloh holding her new sister.

In a blurb that accompanied the cover photo, Jolie was quoted as saying the couple's family life at a sprawling French chateau was "chaos, but we are managing it and having a wonderful time."

In addition to the twins and Shiloh, the couple has three adopted children. Jolie, 33, and Pitt, 44, are one of Hollywood's most glamorous couples, dubbed "Brangelina" by the celebrity press.

The shoot was conducted by photo agency Getty Images, with People acquiring North American rights to the photos, and British gossip magazine Hello! all other territories. The Pitts have said they will donate the proceeds to charity.

Lauren Conrad of The Hills heads out in casual sweats and a tank top as she grabs her morning iced drink from Coffee Bean and then stops by Whole Foods with a friend in Hollywood on Wednesday.

As she was leaving the store, she signed up for an environmental poll. After returning home, the 22-year-old actress headed for Runyon Canyon to walk her dog Chloe with co-star Lauren “Lo” Bosworth and another female friend.

Lauren has just been tapped to design a couture gown for the Primetime Emmy Awards! “When the show approached me, I was so excited,” said Conrad. “I love designing dresses and I can’t wait to see my own designs on the Primetime Emmy Awards. The dress will be elegant yet simple with a Lauren Conrad Collection vibe.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK about Lauren designing for the Emmy’s — YAY or NAY?

Jamie Lynn Spears heads out and takes her baby Maddie Briann to the medical center for an appointment and then to goes Walmart for some shopping in McComb, Mississippi on Wednesday.

After shopping, Jamie Lynn went to lunch at Nyla’s Burger Basket which is a Spears family favorite!

The rumors regarding Jamie Lynn’s wedding plans are still up in the air with claims that she will walk down the aisle before the end of the year.

No rolled up jeans today!

Katie Holmes takes daughter Suri Cruise to Broadway’s The Little Mermaid at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old actress has her own Broadway business going on, as she will be making her debut in the revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons.

ANYONE OUT THERE going to check out Katie in her Broadway debut? See you there!

Australian Miranda Kerr steps out and leaves the Aria Restaurant at Circular Quay in Sydney after dining with fellow model Megan Gale on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old model has been working hard in Australia, walking the catwalks for David Jones.

Kerr has taken over Megan Gale’s position of “fashion ambassador” for the retailer and really enjoyed her time during the show. “It’s a bit of a relief,” said Kerr. “In the back of my mind it’s like “OK, I hope my shoe doesn’t come off. It was very enjoyable, I had a great time!”

Penelope Cruz smiles for the fans as she arrives at the Ed Sullivan Theater for the Late Show With David Letterman on Wednesday in New York.

The 34-year-old actress also attended the screening of Elegy, presented by The Cinema Society and Glamour at the Tribeca Grand Screening Room on Tuesday in New York City.

The Spanish beauty has recently gotten attention for her kiss with Scarlett Johansson during the upcoming movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Unfortunately, Scarlett has come out and said it was the “least sexy thing ever! There were 60 crewmen eating salami sandwiches. It really was the least sexy thing you can ever imagine.” And there you have it!

Ashley Tisdale created an OMG! moment for some of her biggest fans at The Knitting Factory in Los Angeles on Tuesday as the winners of Degree Girl’s Ultimate OMG! Contest enjoyed a private performance from the actress and recording artist.

The Tizz, 22, personally chose the seven lucky winners based on the OMG! moments they shared on DegreeGirl.com. Log on to watch Ash’s vlogs, view the contest submissions and download exclusive music from Ash.

Shia LaBeouf may have to amputate one of his injured fingers, reports Star.

Doctors have told the 22-year-old Transformers star that he is likely to lose the pinky on his left hand.

“Shia called producers yesterday and told them,” the source on the set of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in Alamogordo, N.M. says. “It’s really thrown the movie into turmoil.”

Shia crushed his left hand when his truck rolled over twice in a July 27 accident in West Hollywood. He was arrested for suspicion of a DUI misdemeanor although do not believe the accident was his fault.

Perhaps Shia should invest in some of that magical pixie dust that grows back fingers. It’d be a good investment, don’tcha think?

See pictures of Shia’s mangled hand here.

DO YOU THINK having a missing pinky will negatively affect Shia’s movie career?

Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. shows how he defeated his demons to become Hollywood’s badass superhero in the latest issue of Rolling Stone.

On his current identity: “I’m between two phases right now, pre-Iron Man and post-Iron Man, and the transition can be tricky. It used to be, I’d drive onto a studio lot, and the guard was like, ‘Less Than Zero dude, I loved Chaplin!’ Now it’s, ‘Iron Man!’”

On his crazy schedule since Iron Man: “Right now, my BlackBerry is literally overloading and crashing, and the phone is never not ringing. It’s crazy. Like a Super Bowl. Like a landslide. Like nothing I’ve ever experienced.”

On moving forward in his life: “I’m such a work in progress at the moment, it’s crazy, and life wants me on edge, I swear to you. But as long as I don’t forget the past, I’m cool. One must always be mindful, just like you might forget that old girlfriend who tried to slit your throat, but she’s really still hot. If you remember the stitches more than you remember the pussy, you’re going to be just fine.”

Check out the full interview at RollingStone.com.

Stylin’ costars Leighton Meester and Taylor Momsen walk the streets on the New York City set of their hit CW show, Gossip Girl.

The show’s latest racy ads have been defaced in subway stations in Manhattan by the “infamous subway ad artist.” Check it out at Gothamist.com. S/he changed the quote from “A Nasty Piece of Work” to “A Nasty Piece of S—”. Sweet, huh?

Leighton told Access Hollywood that she loves the ads (the originals, not the defaced ones): “I think that it’s smart and it’s fine and it’s cool.”

“They’re very smart,” added costar Chace Crawford. “Everybody keeps saying they’re so racy, of course they’re racy, but you say they’re smart.”

15+ pictures inside of Leighton Meester and Taylor Momsem in the Big Apple…

The restaurant-bar the late Heath Ledger wanted to open in New York’s Brooklyn is nearly complete.

“Heath was very, very into it,” Jud Mongell, Heath’s longtime pal and business partner, tells Life & Style. “He drew the floor plans and thought of the name — BrightSide — because it’s on the bright side of McCarren Park.”

The nautical-themed eatery, which is scheduled to open later this summer, will have personal touches from Heath. For instance, a chessboard will be engraved into one of the tables.

“Heath was a big chess player,” notes Jud. “The whole idea was to make it a spot for us. We wanted to make it our own space to hang out.”

Heath also wanted a family style table. “He specifically talked about having a place for him and his family to sit,” adds John McCormick, who designed the bar. “It was great working with Heath. He was the most unassuming guy.”

To check out a few pics of the restaurant-bar still under construction, visit DownByTheHipster.com.

WOULD YOU check out Heath’s restaurant-bar BrightSide?

* Miranda Kerr heats up the pages of Ralph.
* Luke Perry makes an appearance on Law & Order: SVU
* Heidi Klum’s vacation goes bikini and yacht style.
* Eva Herzigova gets scandalous in GQ Italy
* American Idol runner-up Bo Bice welcomes baby boy.
* Victoria Beckham has been warned.
* California legislature approves ‘Harvey Milk Day‘
* Julia Roberts is set to star in Eat, Pray, Love.
* Former adult film star Jenna Jameson is expecting a child with boyfriend Tito Ortiz.
* Paul McCartney has written a song about his failed marriage with Heather Mills. “My Soul” is due out in October.
* Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal were spotted holding hands near the Six Point beer tent at McCarren Pool in Brooklyn during the Deerhunter and Black Lips free concert.
* Shia LaBeouf may be headed for rehab. The actor, whose July DUI was his second arrest since November, may enter a treatment facility so that judges will go easier on him during sentencing. A rep would only say, “Right now, we’re focusing on Shia’s hand.”

Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas and Joe Jonas partner with Bayer Diabetes Care in a press conference at the W Hotel in New York City on Wednesday to encourage young people to proactively manage their diabetes (Nick has this condition).

JoBros continues to be a popularity juggernaut with fan doing all sorts of crazy things to get a piece of the triumvirate. Fans are even climbing up on the roof to catch a glimpse of the pop stars! Take a look at TMZ!

And apparently, the Jonas Bros‘ bodyguard, Robert Feggans, aka Big Rob, has started a blog. Check it out at RyanSeacrest.com. (Big Rob raped on the JoBros‘ single “Burnin’ Up.”)

Be sure to check out the video below of Breakfast Breaks contest winner Brooke, who went backstage at the “Burning Up” Tour to see what goes on behind the scenes with the JoBros.

The Hills star Lauren Conrad will be putting on her toga this coming fall when she appears in an episode of ABC Family’s college soap, Greek, according to EW.

Lauren, 22, will be playing herself on the second season’s finale on Oct. 28th.

Ms. Conrad will be playing a spiritual adviser to Spencer Grammer’s character. Sean Smith, series creator, commented, “It’s a dream sequence in which Casey and LC are best friends. Casey has a big decision she has to make, and she’s like, ‘LC, what do I do? Advise me!’”

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel share a romantic sushi dinner at L.A. hotspot Katsuya on Tuesday night.

The Internets has recently been abuzz that the 27-year-old Sexyback singer really impressed the Oscar bosses with his hosting skills at the ESPY awards. (See pictures here.) They apparently shortlisted him to host the 2009 Academy Awards! Previous hosts for the Oscars include Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal.

There’s also a short interview with Justin with the New York Times about the eco-friendly course he’s developing.

DO YOU THINK Justin would make a great host for the Academy Awards?

Lipstick Jungle hottie Robert Buckley is the hunk du juor at the Columbia Pictures screening of Pineapple Express presented by Three Olives at the AMC Loews 19th Street theater in New York City on Tuesday. The 27-year-old actor mingled with the stars of the ” bong hit of the summer” at the film’s afterparty at Club Tenjune in the West Village.

Buckley will be reprising his role as young photographer Kirby Atwood in season two of Lipstick Jungle. Rosie Perez also joined the series for a multi-episode arc playing fashion designer Victory Ford’s (Lindsay Price) new publicist, Dahlia, who is intent on getting Victory back on her feet and bringing a “successful attitude” to her life.

Lipstick Jungle will kick off on Wednesday, September 24th @ 10PM ET/PT. Tune in!