Jay Sean

‘Cash Money Records’ singer-songwriter of the chart-topping and multi-platinum hits “Down” and “Do You Remember,” as well as upcoming album “Freeze Time,” Jay Sean, visited the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City’s Times Square to freeze time.

Nasdaq 2011

In honor of the occasion, Jay Sean  rings the NASDAQ Closing Bell.

Hailing from London, England, Pop/R&B star Jay Sean began honing his craft from an early age and began to explore the possibility of making music a career as he entered college.  With a positive response from friends and the organic development of a fan base that ranged from the UK to South Asia, Jay Sean released his debut album ‘ME AGAINST MY SELF’ in 2004 on digital platforms.  It was then that his music exploded on the internet and he began to tour throughout Europe and Asia.

Cash Money Records.

Jay became a major sensation and multi-platinum artist overseas, releasing two smash albums, two top ten singles and was nominated for Britain’s heralded MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award twice.  One song, “Ride It” garnered 20+ million views on YouTube and captivated fans everywhere, including Cash Money Records CEO and co-founder Ronald “Slim” Williams.   

Jay Sean became the first UK artists to join the Cash Money family in 2008 and released his American debut album ALL OR NOTHING on November 23, 2009, which includes the #1 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 and 3X platinum hit “Down” featuring Lil Wayne, and the platinum certified track “Do You Remember” featuring Sean Paul and Lil Jon.  Further exemplifying his presence on the charts, Jay Sean had four Billboard Top 20 singles in his introductory year in the U.S. “Down, nu mber1 on Billboard’s Hot 100″  ”Do You Remember Number 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100,”  “I Made It (Cash Money Heroes) Number 21 on Billboard’s Hot 100,” and “Written on Her Number 17 on Billboard’s Rap Chart.”  To date, Jay Sean has won 11 UK Asian Music Awards, including ‘Best Male Act,’ ‘Best Urban Act,’ ‘Best Video,’ (“Down”) and ‘Best Album’ “ALL OR NOTHING,” in 2010, a 2009 UK Urban award for ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Down” featuring Lil Wayne, and received past honors from MTV Russia Music Awards and UK BMI Awards.   After releasing his current single “2012 (It Ain’t the End), featuring labelmate Nicki Minaj, Jay Sean is gearing up to release his sophomore album, “Freeze Time” as well as a new single in early spring on Cash Money Records. 

NEW YORK —  Commemorates the first day of trading in the New Year, Jay Sean had the honor of ringing the closing bell at NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square on Monday, and MTV News tagged along for the ride with his family, friends and industry colleagues.

It has certainly been a rather meteoric two-year ride for the Brit in America, and in 2011, the Cash Money R&B singer will release his second Stateside album, Freeze Time. At this introspective moment, Sean wrote about his feelings about his past year and the one to come, just for MTV News.

Jay States: ‘I got to work with some of the coolest artists in the world! From Nicki Minaj to Mary J. Blige, last year I shot six music videos, many of which will come out early in 2011, including my duets with Alesha Dixon from the U.K. and Jessica Mauboy in Australia. I also got to do my fourth song with Lil Wayne (FOURTH!!! WTF?!) which featured on his I Am Not A Human Being album!

He told MTV  “My fans also helped me through the lowest point of my life so far. One of my favorite people on Earth left in November, my granddad. He passed away from a stroke, but fortunately I got to hold his hand in his last hours and tell him how much I love him. That taught me something, watching someone take their last few breaths. To take in ALL that we can, because we never know how long it’s all going to last. My granddad’s motto was ‘Don’t worry man, be happy,’ and I want to live like that from now on, to just not sweat the small stuff and be grateful for what we do have. And to just have fun and enjoy it all!!! Life is about the journey, not just the destination, so I take a lot more photos now so that I can remember all the moments. I’m gonna take on 2011 for everything it throws at me and OWN THAT BIYAAATCH!! I ended 2010 with a bang (and a disgusting hangover) by performing in Vegas for NYE and kicked off the New Year by ringing the closing bell on the first day of trading in 2011 at NASDAQ in Times Square, New York — my unfortunate mug on a GIGANTIC screen in the middle of Times Square, right opposite Diddy! Madness!! 2011 is going to be amazing, I can feel it.”

Jay Sean Nasdaq 2011.

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“Forever in Fashion” Awards

MARK YOUR CALENDERS FOR THE MOST INSPIRED EVENT OF 2009!

!!HEATING UP YOUR WINTER ,  FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER,  THREE INTERNATIONAL DESIGNERS CREATE THEMATIC FASHION TO SHINE THE SPOTLIGHT ON GENDER, SEXUALITY & RELIGION IN SOUTH ASIA!!

Last night Hollywood rolled out the red carpet as Paris & Nicky Hilton, Hayden Panettiere, Kate Walsh, Olivia Wilde, Sheryl Crow, Cat Deeley, Angela Lindvall, Maggie Grace, Mini Andén, among others came out to celebrate the collaboration and the launch of the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection.

The star-studded party was held at a private residence high above the famous Sunset Strip in the Hollywood Hills and featured a Grammy-worthy performance by M.I.A., who dazzled the guests in front of the L.A. skyline. Hollywood’s stars were given an exclusive sneak peak at the glamorous collection that will be unveiled on November 14th in approximately 200 H&M stores globally The collection includes the most coveted shoes and accessories. For the first time Jimmy Choo has also designed women’s clothing to complement the accessories as well as men’s clothing, shoes, bags and accessories.

“I already love H&M but the fact that they are doing Jimmy Choo as well I think is amazing – the purses, the shoes, everything. The clothes are so cute. They have so many fabulous things and I can’t wait to get the whole collection,” says Paris Hilton who coveted everything from the highly anticipated collection.

“The Jimmy Choo for H&M collection embodies the attitude and spirit of laid back party glamour. Los Angeles is the perfect setting to launch the collection,” says Tamara Mellon, Founder and President, Jimmy Choo.

“Tamara is so brilliant and such a wonderful designer. Her shoes are incredible. I do my shopping sprees at H&M. I was recently in Italy and instead of going to other stores, I went to H&M,” says Hayden Panettiere. “I am in love with these pants,” in response to the black Jimmy Choo for H&M leather pants she wore to the event.

“Shoes are every fashionistas passion, and who doesn’t dream about a pair from Jimmy Choo? The matching clothes are clean and sharp and work perfectly with the shoes that are heavily detailed with studs, buckles, prints, eyelets or perforated”, says Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor, H&M

Fashion guru Stella McCartney has revealed that her four-year-old son Miller gave her tips on the designs for her new range of clothing for GapKids.

38-year-old mum-of-three was asked to produce new collections for the high-street clothes chain.

McCartney, who also has a daughter, Bailey, three, and another son, Beckett, 18 months, said: “My eldest son is just starting to have a mind of his own. I was going to do pirates and he said: ‘Nah, don’t do pirates.’

“It suddenly dawned on me that this wasn’t just about what parents want to put on their kids, but about what kids will choose themselves.

“I needed to make every piece [of clothing] one that my children wanted to wear.”

The daughter of legendary ex-Beatles rocker Paul McCartney also said that she wanted to make pieces “you can throw in the washing machine every other day and they get better with age”.

The unique collection officially launched earlier this week in select GapKids and babyGap stores nationwide, online at Gap.com and at Gap’s 5th Avenue concept store in New York City.

And in a nod to her Beatles heritage, McCartney included “a kind of Sergeant Pepper jacket” in the collection that is due to arrive in Gap stores in early November. 

Attends “Persona Magazine” Launch with Hip-Hop’s Russell Simmons

New York, NY—All eyes were on Bollywood bombshell Mallika Sherawat, who had a front seat to New York Fashion Week’s hottest shows and parties. Sherawat shared the spotlight with other celebrity guests at the BCBG Max Azria Spring 2010 show, and hit up Swagg Media’s Persona Magazine launch with hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.

The two hit the dance floor, where Sherawat’s hip-hop dance skills (something she’s been working on for her next movie, whose soundtrack combines hip-hop with Indian influences) impressed him along with several others. It wasn’t all partying, though. Sherawat and Simmons talked about bringing his Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, which takes the cultural relevance of hip-hop and uses it to drive movements in education and other concerns of the youth, to India. Simmons later said, on Twitter, “Met the most famous sex symbol/actress in India, Mallika.”

Craig Nobles, head of Swagg Media, is the music director for Sherawat’s latest venture, in which she plays a character inspired in part by San Francisco Attorney General Kamala Harris, called “the female Barack Obama” by David Letterman, one of the Oprah Winfrey Show’s “Most Powerful Women in America,” and one of The New York Times’ “most likely women to become the first female President of the United States.” Fans can also find Sherawat in her upcoming release, Hiss, costarring Irrfan Khan of Slumdog Millionaire. Directed by American filmmaker Jennifer Lynch, the project is the first from Bollywood to be represented by a major Hollywood agency (William Morris Endeavor).

Sherawat, known as the “original Bollywood bombshell,” exploded on Indian screens in 2003 in Khawish. Her role in 2004’s Murder helped the film to become India’s biggest box office hit and landed her on magazine covers around the globe. She was the first Indian actress to share the screen with Jackie Chan in The Myth, and has starred in popular films including Guru, Dasavatharam and Pyar ke Side Effects. The West has taken notice of Sherawat’s success. She was the breakout star at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival, and Time Magazine’s Richard Corliss called her “the next big thing.” She also received the Diversity Award in Hollywood, and the Arts Award by the mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, Jerramiah T. Healy. Additionally she was the first Bollywood star to be recognized in Los Angeles with a Resolution in her name and honored by the mayor and the entire city council for her contributions to charity and Hollywood. She has an avid following on Twitter (@MallikaLA), and is credited with expanding its reach in India and among Bollywood’s elite.

She was voted one of Asia’s 100 most beautiful people by the Hong Kong-based magazine Cover, and has repeatedly made the “Most Desirable” polls on AskMen.com and in Maxim. In addition to her work on the big screen, Sherawat, who holds a degree in philosophy, is an advocate for women’s issues, the environment and nutrition. She currently resides in Los Angeles, wrapping up post-production on Hisss and preparing for her upcoming American film production.

Marc by Marc Jacobs and Vera Wang at New York fashion week

The latest highlights from New York fashion week include bright prints at Marc by Marc Jacobs, gothic charm from Vera Wang, cutouts from Max Azria and Dennis Basso, and white lace and ruffles at Badgley Mischka.
 

To look at her she appears as an average happy go lucky twenty-something blonde enjoying life in New York City.

 She then draws you in with her confidence and immediately bypasses any personal talk, jumping straight into what can be done to improve opportunities for the independent fashion business market.

Kerry Bannigan, 26 years old, moved to New York City from England in 2004 and since 2006 she has been on a mission to provide business guidance and opportunities for emerging fashion talent.

In a short period she has grown Nolcha into an award winning and leading organization that supports, promotes, and educates emerging fashion talent from around the world; via Nolcha Fashion Week runway shows, exhibitions, fashion business seminars and trade networking.

As a young female business owner she has had to build client and team confidence during the challenges of the current economy. Thinking outside of the box, listening to client needs and not panicking have been key to Nolcha’s success. The main goal right now for Nolcha is to remain focused, continue to build domestic and international relationships and provide cost effective resources for the independent fashion market.

In 2009 alone Nolcha has held events during New York and London Fashion Week, won an Award for Best Produced Runway shows in New York, partnered with Clarins, Aveda, Paul Mitchell and Starbucks for September Fashion Week, launching The Ethical Fashion Preview supported by EDUN Live, the blank t-shirt brand launched by Ali Hewson and Bono; and is expanding Independent Retail Week: New York to Chicago.

Bannigan puts much of her business drive to her working class upbringing; “Coming from a working class town I watched my parents work for every penny and make it stretch across the family, schooling, vacations and food. I have always been a hustler but in business they like to call it smart strategic planning!”

She continues; “Working in such a superficial industry I continuously watch companies and individuals who try to mimic our work and scam the new designer in some way. We have worked hard to build respect and trust from emerging fashion designers; this is irreplaceable and crucial for success at a time like this.”

As a young woman who has grown a business herself in a competitive market place she can definitely provide solid advice to other young entrepreneurs who are trying to succeed. “I want to be an inspiration to young women who want to start their own business, who want to take the risk of leaving their birth land and beginning life abroad. America has shown me independence in thought, financials and business beliefs.”

Bannigan and her team are now preparing for Nolcha Fashion Week: New York taking place simultaneously with New York Fashion Week this September 14th – 18th 2009 at the Bohemian National Hall in association with the Czech Republic Embassy; one day of events will be held at the Carlton Hotel on Madison Ave.

About Nolcha Fashion Week: New York
Award Winning Nolcha Fashion Week held simultaneously with New York Fashion Week consists of runway shows featuring emerging and independent designers, accessory exhibition, industry networking events and fashion business seminars held by reputable New York fashion business industry figures.

About Nolcha
Nolcha is an award winning multi-faceted media and events platform, offering opportunities in the New York fashion business market, and operates an online fashion network, a print publication and major annual events for the independent fashion industry and related retail businesses.

Nolcha offers cost effective resources to aspiring and veteran fashion professionals; initiatives include Nolcha online, Nolcha Fashion Week: New York, Nolcha: London Fashion Week events,  and Independent Retail Week. www.nolcha.com

Following the steps of models Ujjwala Raut and Lakshmi Menon, Diana Penty is the next model to make her mark.

Diana has been appointed as an official model at the prestigious New York Fashion Week.

Sushma Puri, CEO and Director of the model agency which handles Diana’s portfolio said, “We have always recognised Diana’s potential both within India and internationally. She has some of the best campaigns under her belt in India, is popular with the agencies in Paris and is now making her mark in New York.”

The luxury fashion house, Matthew Williamson has opened its first US flagship store located at 413, West 14th Street, New York

ARCHLAB design studios New York were appointed by Matthew Williamson Ltd to oversee the design and architectural build of the 2,500 sq ft new retail space, working alongside British designer, Matthew Williamson and Clare Ceprynski (Image Director and Store Designer, Matthew Williamson). Clare Ceprynski, together with Matthew Williamson, was responsible for the design of the award-winning London Bruton Street store which launched in 2004.

The new Matthew Williamson store concept has been conceived to radiate a modern and alluring dynamic, perfectly in tune with its immediate environs, while clearly retaining the vintage inspired signature brand aesthetic associated with the London Bruton Street store.

The space is infused with fluidity, playing with conventional expectations of symmetry in retail design. From the exterior the expansive glass window appears to seamlessly blend into the interior floor of glossy poured concrete, creating a virtual liquid effect. Designed to be an explorative journey, a central corridor narrates and defines the overall space, aimed at drawing customers into the “midnight” heart of the store.

Ellipsoidal egg-like zones, created through the placement of curved reflective walls, act to envelope and enshrine hero pieces within the new accessories collection and highlight different areas of Matthew Williamson collections.

The egg shaped theme is echoed via brass detailing on the floors, extending onto the wa11 surfaces. The dynamic curves of this spatial arrangement are also repeated via demi-crescent fashion clothing rails, allowing maximum rail length and merchandising opportunities.

Pools of dark shadows and contrasting light allow the gentle unfolding of kaleidoscopic colour while aiming to seduce and encourage customers to linger. Elsewhere, a fibre optic wall of light heralds a walk-in shoe wardrobe in contrasting Prussian blue. Positioned at the end of this fashion designer store, an exotic oasis modelled on the Bruton Street store garden wi11 create balance and an air of tranquillity, while highlighting the importance of nature as a theme within the Designer’s work.

The Matthew Williamson bespoke de Gournay wallpaper is a vital component of the new store furnishing, adding elevation to the fitting rooms. New rugs and cushions developed in partnership with The Rug Company define bespoke seating and displays. Certain chairs and vintage mirrors found in the Bruton Street Store are used to furnish the new Matthew Williamson shop space.

Matthew Williamson’s boutiques remain an eclectic mix with a pulse. The new US store wi11 accompany 2 further stand alone retail stores in Dubai Ma11, DUBAI opening March 2009 and subsequently in The 360 Ma11, KUWAIT. Further strategic plans for growth include the unveiling of a fu11 luxury designer accessories collection for spring 2009. The accessories collection, which was shown alongside the spring 2009 main collection, shares strong aesthetic synergies with the ready to wear designer clothing collection.

The Matthew Williamson (matthewwilliamson.com) brand, which was established in London in 1997, opened its first boutique on Bruton Street, London in 2004. The store received industry acclaim for its award-winning design. The Company currently has a customer portfolio which includes 170 prestigious wholesale accounts around the world.

Awards held at new venue at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.

New York, NY, June 16, 2009 – Last night, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) paid tribute to the winners and honorees of the 2009 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. This year’s Awards were hosted by comedian Tracey Ullman.

The honors went to Kate & Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte for Womenswear Designer of the Year, presented by Diane Kruger. There was a tie for Menswear Designer of the Year, which was presented by Jimmy Fallon: Scott Sternberg for Band of Outsiders and Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein Collection. Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler took home the Accessory Designer of the Year Award, presented by Kerry Washington.

First Lady Michelle Obama was honored with the Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award by CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg for her support and commitment to American designers. “The ingenuity and craftsmanship of American designers contributes so much to our economy and to our culture,” said Mrs. Obama in a taped message sent from the White House. “To both legends and the future legends, I am honored to celebrate your craft with you tonight. And on behalf of men and women everywhere, I want to thank you all for making fashion liberating, inspiring, but of all, fun.”

Blake Lively presented all three Swarovski Awards which were generously underwritten by Swarovski for the eighth year in a row. The Swarovski Award for Womenswear was given to Alexander Wang; The Swarovski Award for Menswear was presented to Tim Hamilton; and The Swarovski Award for Accessory Design went to Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry. Recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from the company as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative CRYSTALLIZEDtm Swarovski Elements.

Justin Timberlake, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger,
Nadja Swarovski and Blake Lively

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Anna Sui by musician Jack White of the White Stripes. Prior to her acceptance, a group of 36 models appeared onstage in front of a dramatic Swarovski beaded curtain constructed 30,000 number of jet crystals custom-designed by Tony Award-winning set designer Scott Pask.

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton was recognized with this year’s International Award presented by Antoine Arnault and Robert Duffy. The Eleanor Lambert Award was presented to GQ Creative Director Jim Moore by Justin Timberlake. WWD’s Edward Nardoza was honored with the Eugenia Sheppard Award for excellence in journalism, presented by Patrick McCarthy, Editorial Director of W and WWD.

As part of the CFDA’s commitment to design education, the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholar Niloufar Mozafari and the CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship (in partnership with Target) recipient Rachel Brown were recognized onstage by CFDA executive director Steven Kolb.

This year also marked the first ever Popular Vote Award sponsored by L’Oréal Paris. Through a website hosted by wwd.com, the public was given the opportunity to vote for its favorite fashion designer. An overwhelming number of votes were cast. The winner of the Popular Vote Award was Ralph Lauren.

In addition to the nominees and honorees, some of the most influential names in American fashion were in attendance including Diane von Furstenberg, Behnaz Sarafpour, Brian Atwood, Cynthia Rowley, David Chu, David Neville, Donna Karan, Doo-Ri Chung, Elie Tahari, Erin Fetherston, Esteban Cortezar, Francisco Costa, Gilles Mendel, Jeff Halmos, John Bartlett, John Fairchild, John Truex, John Whitledge, Kenneth Cole, Marcus Wainwright, Maria Cornejo, Michael Kors, Patrick Robinson, Peter Som, Phillip Lim, Ralph Lauren, Reed Krakoff, Richard Chai, Richard Lambertson, Rogan Gregory, Sam Shipley, Stan Herman, Thom Browne, Tory Burch, Tracy Reese, Vivienne Tam, Yeohlee Teng, and Zac Posen. They joined VIP’s such as Ashley Olsen, Barry Diller, Bernadette Peters, Bradley Cooper, Bruce Weber, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Claire Danes, Daphne Guinness, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Heidi Klum, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Joshua Jackson, Kirsten Dunst, Lake Bell, Mamie Gummer, Molly Sims, Nate Berkus, Olivia Palermo, Padma Lakshmi, Rachel Zoe, Simon Doonan, Tallulah Willis, Taylor Lautner, Whitney Port, and Zoe Saldana. Models included Anja Rubik, Coco Rocha, Doutzen Kroes, Dree Hemingway, Hilary Rhoda, Liya Kebede, and Suvi Koponen.

As guests entered Alice Tully Hall, they were greeted by an assemblage of sixty models staged across the grand outdoor staircase in front of the atrium; each model wearing a design by the three nominees for the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award.

Of the ceremony, CFDA Executive Director Steven Kolb said, “All those recognized at the CFDA Fashion Awards push the creative boundaries and again confirm American fashion’s dominance in innovation and talent on the world’s stage.”

“Swarovski is honored to have been a part of such an incredible evening,” said Nadja Swarovski, Vice President of International Communications. “We send our most sincere congratulations to all the honorees and winners. In keeping with Swarovski’s commitment to fostering fashion’s brightest emerging stars, we are especially thrilled to be working with this year’s Swarovski Award winners.”

KCD produced the event, and the journal and graphics were designed by Trey Laird of Laird + Partners. The stage and set design were created by Scott Pask.

Nominees, honorees, and winners were determined by a selection committee comprised of CFDA members, leading fashion journalists, stylists, and top retail executives. Ernst & Young LLP was the official accounting firm of the Awards.

Additionally, the CFDA would like to acknowledge the companies that added to the success of this year’s event:
Official airline: Continental Airlines
Official hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria
Official water: FIJI
Official champagne: Moet & Chandon

The winners and honorees of the 2009 CFDA Fashion Awards:

Womenswear Designer of the Year
Kate & Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte

Menswear Designer of the Year (TIE)
Scott Sternberg for Band of Outsiders and Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein Collection

Accessory Designer of the Year
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler

Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent Womenswear
Alexander Wang

Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent Menswear
Tim Hamilton

Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent Accessory Design
Justin Giunta for Subversive Jewelry

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award
Anna Sui

International Award
Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton

Eugenia Sheppard Award for Fashion Journalism
Edward Nardoza, Editor-in-Chief, Women’s Wear Daily

Eleanor Lambert Award
Jim Moore, Creative Director, GQ

Board of Directors’ Special Tribute
First Lady Michelle Obama