月別アーカイブ: 2015年7月

In late 2012, I wrote a three-part series on Uniqlo, Zara and H&M. All three fashion leaders were already well-established internationally and had initiated strategies for penetrating the U.S. retail market. In my 2015 update, I have been assessing their progress and what it means for investors.

Having already taken a look at where Uniqlo and Zara are today in parts 1 and 2 of this “revisit,” I’m now examining H&M, which can be seen as a hybrid between the fast fashion model of Zara and the long-view approach of Uniqlo. This combination has proven itself to be a winning approach, to the delight of H&M and its investors.

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And with its quick and nimble supply chain, smart pricing, an expanding product line and optimized mix of great stores and e-commerce, H&M continues to look like a pretty safe bet for retail investors.

The best of both worlds

H&M releases two main collections each year: one for the spring and one for the fall. But throughout the year, the company releases many sub-collections that allow it to jump on new trends that appear during any season. It breaks down like this: the primary collections are the long-lead items with more enduring looks (a la Uniqlo), while the sub-collections are trend chasers with short lead times (a la Zara).

This hybrid approach gives H&M the ability to be deliberate with its heavy-hitters, while allowing it to be agile enough to score quick wins with the trendy items. Either way, the key to success here is that H&M takes very few, if any, chances when it releases a new product. They have a strong focus on using the reams of customer data they have, using it to nail exactly what it is consumers want from each item and delivering it at the right times.

Both the long-lead time and fast fashion offerings rely on an agile supply chain to be delivered at prices that customers will pay. Through complete IT integration between its partners/suppliers and core offices, the entire organization can quickly get on board to quickly produce clothing that is on-trend.

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Morgan Woodard of Morgan Joy Photography shoots 35 or more weddings per year in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Often, the weddings are elaborate and expensive.

So when it came to her own recent wedding, she kept it small and easy. In her experience, “Most of the time the bride does everything to impress her friends instead of focusing on the meaning of her wedding,” she said. “I think a wedding should be a joyful, happy celebration.”

And that’s just what she had, with a venue that cost next to nothing, flowers she bought the night before and no wedding party or wedding planner.

“I kind of winged everything,” she said. “I just knew it would all come together, and it did.”

Morgan married Seth Woodard on May 23, at Baldwin County Bicentennial Park in Stapleton. He really wanted a church wedding, and she wanted a vintage setting, she said. When one of her friends suggested the park, which includes the historic, circa-1895 Montpelier Methodist Church, a 19th century general store, a blacksmith’s shop and other buildings, Morgan fell in love with it right away.

“I almost cried when I realized it was free,” she said, adding that there’s now a nominal fee to rent the space.

The couple met about four years ago, when she went to Lowe’s to buy some paint. Seth was working there at the time, in the receiving area, but on that day “he walked by and saw me at the counter and decided he’d work in paint,” she said, laughing. He followed her out to her car, but the usually outgoing Morgan “shut down” and didn’t talk to him.

“I was anti-guys at that time,” she said.

Later, when she told her friend about him, the friend took Morgan’s business card up to Lowe’s and gave it to Seth. Sure enough, he called her, they went on their first date and have been together ever since.

After Seth graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in chemical engineering in May, he got a job with Evonik – in Indiana. Since their wedding, Morgan has flown back and forth, spending increasingly more time with Seth in Indiana as she finishes the weddings she’s shooting here over the next few months.

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Here are some of the details of their beautiful wedding day.

How they met: “We met at Lowes in Daphne, I recently bought a house in Loxley and i wanted to go pick up some paint and paint the walls. He worked at Lowe’s,” said Morgan.

How he proposed: “He proposed at Blakely State Park, by the huge tree that you can walk inside of. He blindfolded me and walked me down the pier.”

Wedding date: May 23, 2015

Wedding/reception location: Baldwin County Bicentennial Park, Stockton

All about the dress: “I knew about The Timeless Bride from some of my brides. I wanted something different for my dress, but I had no clue what I meant by ‘different’ until I walked into the shop. Naomi (Maurer) picked out a few vintage dresses. I found my awesome 1970s dress and could see that after alterations it was going to be exactly what I wanted. My mom was able to alter it for me. When I saw myself in the camera in the dress with my hair and makeup done, I thought, ‘This is it.’ It was exactly what I had envisioned.”

Bridesmaids/groomsmen? “None! I wanted it to be as simple as possible. I feel most of the time bridesmaids and groomsmen just cause more chaos.”

Wedding cake by: Evelyn Phelps (251-661-9200). “I found her thorough a friend on Facebook. The cake was fabulous and exactly what i wanted for way cheaper than the cake shops. It was a three-tier messy white cake, which I decorated with flowers from The Fresh Market on the top.”

Groom’s cake: Four cheesecakes made by Seth’s grandmother

Flowers by: The Fresh Market. “I just went the night before the wedding and picked up a couple of bouquets of flowers and baby’s breath.”

Photography by: SoLife Studios (solifestudios.com)

Videography by: “One of my photography friends, Brooke Helms, surprised me and videotaped the wedding and reception for me.”

Reception food: “We served hamburgers, hot dogs and crawfish. My brother-in-law, Tolly Nassar from Louisiana, bought and cooked the crawfish.”

Officiant: Morgan’s uncle, John Faciane

Music: “Seth’s grandmother played the piano while I walked down the aisle. My sister, Lydia Bru, sang Christina Aguilera’s ‘I Turn to You’ during the ceremony.”

Special dances: “Our first dance was to ‘Feels Like Home’ by Chantal Kreviazuk. The daddy dance song was ‘I Will Always Be Your Baby’ by Natalie Grant. The mom and groom song was ‘You Raise Me Up’ by Josh Groban.”

Honeymoon: “We spent a few days in Gulf Shores.”

Advice for other couples planning a wedding? “Keep it simple, and exactly what you want. Don’t do traditional things if you do not want to – we didn’t.”

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Being a bride is meant to be one of the most important days in a woman’s life – and it’s certainly the most photographed, so a perfect appearance is essential.

So imagine how you would feel if you had a beauty disaster ahead of the big day.

One bride-to-be posted a desperate plea for help on Reddit after she refreshed her dye-job less than a week before walking down the aisle.

Known only as Amesann, she wrote: ‘Last night I touched up my hair roots (I always do it myself with great results) but this time they decided to turn YELLOW! Oh and some ORANGE mixed in there too. Oh yeah, beautiful! Not.

‘So I’m sporting yellow and orange hair and the wedding is in 5 days! I’m praying for a miracle.

‘I’m out of town right now and trying to find a salon around me that can fix it without making my hair look like the Sahara Desert. I’ve bought purple shampoo but I think my hair is beyond that. Help! Help! Help!’

But she is not the only one who has had to battle with hair horrors and make-up mishaps on her big day… Here, a number of disgruntled British brides share their beauty blunders with FEMAIL.

Mother-of-three Lianne Kolirin, from London, soon found her dream of picturesque shots on the beach of her 2001 destination wedding were thwarted by both her hairdresser – and the weather.

She said: ‘My hairdresser took an unbelievable four hours to do my hair in his salon – while still seeing various clients in between.

‘The whole process dragged on for so long that we ended up not having time to do our official pictures, there was also a torrential storm so my dress got soaked. We were going to have lovely outdoor shots on the beach but by the time we were finally out and ready it was dark.

‘We had to go back and do them the next day – minus the wedding outfits. My hair looked amazing and the pictures the next day were beautiful, but it could have been any time as we weren’t in our wedding clothes.’

Disgruntled bride Steph Duell, from London, had to take matters into her own hands during her nupitals in 2014.

The 25-year-old deputy project manager ended up styling her hair herself after an unqualified stylist failed to follow her brief and decided to just ‘slick it back my hair with wax’.

She advertised herself as a wedding hairstylist and her portfolio looked fine. A few months before the big day I sent her a collage of photographs of the style I wanted,’ she said.

‘I wanted something quite casual – a loose bun with a braid along one side and a few small strands of hair falling out.

‘Nice and relaxed for a summer wedding. She said she’d be able to do it without a worry. She couldn’t.

‘She didn’t seem to know how to do a French braid and her idea of a messy bun was not the same as mine. It looked nothing like the photos and was all sleeked back with wax! Awful.

‘I was standing in my underwear, without hair or make-up on and the wedding was due to begin in 30 minutes! I did my hair myself, as best I could and had the best day ever.’

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HAIRDRESSER DIDN’T TURN UP

One outraged bride – nurse Laura, 24, from Southport – was left sobbing outside of the hair salon after her stylist failed to show up.

She said: ‘My hairdresser was a complete no show.

‘We waited outside the salon for 45 minutes desperately trying to call the stylist until she eventually answered her phone. She sounded like she’d just got out of bed.

‘When she did eventually turn up her excuse was that she thought it had been booked the month before and I simply hadn’t turned up for the appointment.

‘I was given a voucher for a free cut and blow dry but it’s safe to say I won’t be using her again.’

HAIRDO DIDN’T HOLD UP

Writer Juliette Wills, 42, from Brighton, recalls how she ended up with a sagging hairdo on her wedding day seven years ago.

She said: ‘I turned up at the hairdresser’s on the morning of my wedding. Place closed.

‘Idiot hairdresser arrived 15 minutes later muttering about how hungover he was.

‘I sat in chair and he hairsprayed the back of my hair instead of pinning it up.

‘The style was a bit 1940s-meets Cinderella – two rolls on either side with a low side-sweep – and it started to drop before I even got to the ceremony. I was so stressed but I still paid him.

‘There’s a photo where you can see wisps falling out. Plus I couldn’t find my bra (it was in my bag, but I was so stressed about my hair that I lost the plot) and my garter (borrowed from my best friend) was too big.

‘I am still traumatised by it now!’

BACKCOMB NIGHTMARE

Travel writer Olivia Greenway, from Hampshire, had to style her own hair after her stylist made her look like a pantomime character.

She said: ‘I was married in 2013. It was in a castle in the far north of Scotland and I just accepted the hairdresser that was arranged for me.

‘She was from the local village. I don’t know whether she had ever left the village or even been to hairdressing school, but she proceeded to backcomb my hair and put in curlers.

‘When she had finished and showed me the mirror, I looked like Widow Twankey.

‘I had hideous ringlets on either side of my head not unlike Jane Austen’s and a beehive type creation in the middle.

‘I was too embarrassed to say anything as I was shocked. I shuffled her and the makeup artist out, having given them their tips (irony) then set to work attacking the bird’s nest and ringlets, all the time trying not to cry as I had my contact lenses in.

‘Somehow, I managed to brush it all out, as ten minutes later there was a knock at the door and I had to go to be married.

‘At that moment, I decided something as ridiculous as a bad hair day was not going to ruin my wedding. No one knew, not even my husband, until about a year later. Now I can laugh about it.’

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Monday 27 July

Ziggy realises that Tegan loves him more genuinely than Leela and decides to go away with her. Elsewhere, Diane and Tony overhear DS Thorpe saying he’s got a lead on Rose and they follow him to Southport.

Louis is heartbroken about Simone pushing their daughter away and reveals that he has always blamed her for Lisa’s kidnap. Louis is about to leave when ‘Wayne’ arrives and tells them he knows where they can find Lisa.

Pete tells Jack about Harry and Cleo’s whipped cream fight at the coffee shop and Jack tells Cleo that she hasn’t got the job. Cleo breaks up with Harry. Harry thinks Cleo must be seeing someone else and convinces Holly to help him spy on her. He’s relieved when he sees Cleo with Pete, unaware he’s the other man.

Tuesday 28 July

Wayne takes the Lovedays to a drop-in centre. Lisa spots them and makes a run for it, with Zack in hot pursuit. They all catch up with her and Simone begs her daughter to come home. They return to the village without Lisa, but are delighted when she later turns up at their front door.

Cindy is spending excessively again and buys an expensive wedding dress.

Robbie offers to babysit Charlie and Oscar so Nancy can go to a job interview. He thinks it’ll be a piece of cake until Charlie locks him out of the house.

Wednesday 29 July

Zack is stunned when he sees Lisa and Wayne kissing.

Cindy is sexually frustrated. Dirk surprises her with a new writing desk but her focus is on a hot, sweaty Jason who has helped Dirk carry the table up the stairs. Later, Cindy thinks Jason has invited her to the Roscoe’s to sleep with him. She climbs into his bed but Robbie is there instead.

Ben and Carly move into their new house, but Ben finds some drugs in her bag and washes them down the sink. He locks Carly in the house.

Robbie drives Nancy to her next interview but when it doesn’t go well, she takes her anger out on him. He nearly drives into Wayne, who is looking at the envelope of reward money from the Lovedays. Later, Wayne is mugged by Robbie who wants the cash to help Nancy pay for childcare. Robbie is unaware he’s left his sunglasses at the scene.

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Thursday 30 July

Jason reveals too much to Robbie about him and Cindy. Meanwhile, Kyle and Aiden offer Holly a legal high, which she refuses. Cindy turns up at the Roscoe’s and tries to undress Jason. He decides to tell Dirk she’s not taking her medication. The wedding dress Cindy ordered has arrived and she tries it on while fantasising about Jason. She turns up at the police station in the dress.

She meets up with Kyle and Aiden who take her to a party and give her pills. Robbie gives Nancy the £6k he stole from Wayne and lies that it’s his savings. She reluctantly accepts. They go to the park and Robbie is alarmed when he spies two police officers at the site where he mugged Wayne, and they’ve found his sunglasses…He asks Jason to get the glasses back, or he’ll tell Holly that he kissed Cindy.

Ben returns to the village and tries to speak with Sienna. She doesn’t believe that Carly is a ‘friend’. Ben asks Jason to do some surveillance for him, Jason is unaware he’s watching Ben’s house to make sure Carly stays out of trouble. He tries to chase her when she uses a coat hanger to unlock the door and escapes, but he loses her. Nico pushes Sienna to give Ben another chance, so she goes to the station and kisses him. However, Sienna overhears Ben on the phone and thinks he’s cheating on her with Nancy.

Friday 31 July

Sienna spots Ben leaving The Dog in the morning, wearing the same clothes from last night. Sienna and Nico break into Ben’s flat and find some perfume, which Sienna believes belongs to Nancy. She storms into the pub, throws the perfume bottle at Nancy and the two women fight. Later, Sienna sneaks into Nancy’s bedroom.

Pete asks Frankie for a job at the pub, she’s startled when a hooded figure runs past her and grabs her handbag. Pete stops them and reveals Carly as the mugger.

Celine finds Holly passed out behind the bins in The Loft yard after her night of partying. She makes Holly promise not to take anymore pills. At the hospital, Cindy gives Celine some advice on how to be creative in the bedroom. However, Pete is quick to destroy Celine’s confidence before her date with Cameron.

Robbie is furious that Jason can’t get access to the evidence room and retrieve his sunglasses.

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Amy Poehler has had more awards nominations (and a few wins sprinkled in) than you could shake a selfie-stick at. Her latest nod came earlier today with the announcement thatAmy Pohler is up for an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation.

Now, I’m no mathematician, but if we’re talking about ratios, Poehler has been up for an Emmy eight times already — and has won exactly zero times. (although she has won a Golden Globe for the role, so all is not lost). She playfully calls herself a “loser,” and in 2013 she co-hosted a “losers-only” party with fellow non-winner Jon Hamm.

She’s up against some stiff competition in her category this year as women continue to take over the comedy game (and, the world) including fellow Amy, Amy Schumer. Luckily, Poehler has proven that she’s a gracious (and hilarious) loser, whether she’s hosting a ceremony or contending, she always brings her A-Game to every red carpet the newly-minted red head is on. Whether she wins or not, it’s pretty much a given that she’ll steal the spotlight at some point or another.

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Hey, if you can’t beat ‘em, you can still outshine them, right?

So in the spirit of upstaging every other nominee at the ceremony this September, here’s what Amy Poehler should wear.

1. High Drama

Yes, she’s nominated for a comedy category, but I think she should bring the dramz to the Emmys with this scantily cut Vera Wang gauze creation. The side cut-outs would add height, and she’s already shown cleavage before (remember the shirtless Stella McCartney tux she wore to the Golden Globes a couple years back? A style switch-up might bring her some luck.

2. Plucky Colors

I love-love-loved her in Peter Som last year at the Vanity Fair Oscar’s After Party, and this highlighter-chic strapless gown could really work with her flaxen hair. Plus, you don’t get more quintessentially fall than an orange gown on a red carpet. Instead of an Emmy, maybe someone can just hand her a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

3. Just Be The Statue

Because if Pohler can’t get an award, she can at least dress like one.

You’ll always be a winner in our eyes, Poehler!

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My favorite part of attending a wedding is finding a dress to wear. It’s fine if you don’t share the same excitement, but it’s still important to make sure you don’t dress in a way that might offend the people who are getting married; it’s their wedding, after all. Beyond the obvious “rule” of not wearing white, what is and isn’t appropriate at weddings has become somewhat of a grey area, much like workplace fashion guidelines. So what should you never wear as a wedding guest?

As more and more dresses in stores have cutouts, sparkles, and crazy prints, it can be hard to know what works at a wedding and what doesn’t. And when you throw in the struggle of trying to find something that you actually like, will want to wear again, and is appropriate per the wedding’s dress code — it seems like the options are few and far between. But don’t worry, as long as you remember some simple guidelines, it’ll make your shopping quest a whole lot easier.

Remember, weddings have dress codes for a reason. If you’re unsure of what “country club chic” or “black tie” really means, ask a bridesmaid or a family member of the bride to help you clarify. Better safe than sorry!

1. Anything White (Or Blush, Champagne, Ivory, Etc.) — Well, For The Most Part

I said this list wouldn’t include anything obvious, but hear me out. As wedding dresses start trending towards colors, it’s more important than ever to avoid colors even remotely similar to white. Blush gowns in particular pose a problem. Exceptions include some printed dresses, such as a blush dress with a black print paired with the right accessories. If you’re not sure, just wear something else. Generally speaking, always err on the side of caution with this one. If the bride is a trendsetter and wearing red or blue, obviously avoid those colors, too. Of course, there are major exceptions to every rule, and every bride is going to have different taste. For example, perhaps you are a member of Solange’s wedding party. That changes everything.

2. Anything That Is Over-The-Top Revealing

Even if this is an 8 p.m. wedding on a hotel rooftop, your friends’ wedding is not an opportunity to wear your favorite backless, sequin dress. No matter how hot some of the bridal party members may be, don’t try to attract attention with an inappropriate dress. Anything too short, too tight, too loud, it may be a safer bet to save it for another weekend. There’s nothing wrong with dressing your sexiest, but if what you’re wearing may take attention away from the bride even for a bit — it may not be the best choice.

3. All Black

Some consider wearing black to a wedding to be a bad omen. I’m not sure about that, but black just isn’t a happy color. This kills me, because 90 percent of my own wardrobe is black. If you just aren’t into bright colors, try a cranberry or eggplant dress. Some dark reds and purples can be stunning! Although, personally speaking, I think that if this is your ex’s wedding and you’re attending for some reason (why, though?), you have my full permission to wear as much black as you want. Channel your inner Jenny Humphrey/Taylor Momsen and just go for it.

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4. The Same Color As The Bridal Party

This isn’t something I thought about until I attended a wedding and saw a guest in the same color as the bridal party — the dress was even a similar style as the bridesmaids’ dresses. It made me think that she wanted to be a bridesmaid and was making a statement, but it was also confusing because it seemed like she was in the group at times, which was a bit awkward. If you’re not sure what the wedding colors are, just ask. If they’re going with a cornflower blue, stick with navy. You don’t want to match the centerpieces.

5. Office Attire

There’s nothing wrong with wearing a nice suit or a pair of wide-legged trousers to a wedding (both looks can be super fierce), but you don’t want to wear the same thing you might wear to a corporate office. A wedding is supposed to be a happy, joyous event, not necessarily something that evokes feelings of Excel spreadsheets. Feel free to get creative, but keep it more formal and less professional.

6. Inappropriate Undergarments

Clear bra straps: We can all see them. They are not invisible. Ever. Beyond that, I found some excellent advice from SkinnyMom: Don’t wear new Spanx! So true. Wear your tried and true shapewear to avoid any bathroom mishaps or painful wardrobe malfunctions.

7. An Apple Watch

What? An Apple Watch? Yes, you heard me. I’m sorry, but wearing an Apple Watch to a wedding is like having your phone out constantly (which is rude, in case you didn’t get the memo). Don’t try to convince me that you won’t be distracted by all those Candy Crush notifications! Leave your high-tech gear at home, and enjoy a fun night with your date.

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I spent 18 months of my life holding the titles of Miss Las Vegas and Miss Nevada.

I attended red carpet events, conducted photo shoots and most importantly, spent the majority of my time volunteering with various community service projects around the Silver State.

To make time for all the travel, volunteering, and events, I had to pull myself away from my three businesses: Sin City Cupcakes, Elite Homes US, and Liquid & Lace.

Despite the brief hiatus, all of them showed substantial gains because of the business lessons I learned during my time as a reigning beauty queen.

The power of networking

At every single event I attended, whether a red carpet opening or volunteering at a soup kitchen, I met at least one person I otherwise wouldn’t have. And inevitably, one question would arise: “So what else do you do besides being Miss Nevada?”

That was my opportunity to tell them about my companies and how thankful I was to have my business partners’ support as I took on the pageant. Cards and contact information would be exchanged, and while the new acquaintance may not immediately remember my name, they would remember “Miss Nevada and cupcakes” or “Miss Nevada and real estate” and contact me for business needs.

Get out there and make people remember you.

Learn your brand and how to manage it

In my experience, the modeling and pageant industries are one of the best places to gain first-hand knowledge about how to grow and build a brand.

Models and beauty queens are essentially brand ambassadors who are paid, either in money, scholarship, or gifts to be spokespeople for an organization. The emphasis on personal branding and analyzing how the organization wants the brand portrayed can be directly applied to the corporate world.

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For example, as a titleholder, when wearing my sash and crown at public appearances, I was prohibited from drinking an alcoholic beverage, lest a photo of myself in regalia with a cocktail in my hand, make its way onto social media.

Being so cognizant of my public behavior, I felt like a politician with a crown on. As a business owner, I realized that my social media presence and public persona also directly affect people’s views of the companies I co-founded.

Some questions to consider:

What are the tenets of my company?

How do I want my company portrayed to the general public and consumer?

Does my personal brand also reflect this?

How do I, my partner, or any person we hire, fit into the brand I am trying to build?

Pageant judges consider variations of these questions, and so should you as a business owner.

Get engaged in your community

Since I knew I had a finite amount of time as reigning queen (I crowned the new Miss Nevada in April 2015), I wanted my legacy to be one of service.

As a result, I tried to say “yes” to as many appearance requests as possible, with no consideration given to monetary benefit. The financial sacrifices I made to be part of events with organizations or schools that didn’t have the budget to pay a “celebrity appearance fee” were some of the most worthwhile events I participated in. They “paid” many times over through goodwill, gratitude, and of course, the indirect marketing of my companies.

Many fellow entrepreneurs have asked me, “What’s the one thing I should be doing right now?” And my answer is always to get engaged in their communities.

Go volunteer with an organization that has a cause that speaks to you, whether it’s animals, veterans, the homeless, children, or otherwise. There’s an extra bonus if that cause is also in-line with your company goals or culture. The community leaders and volunteers you meet will be like-minded and share most of your same ideals.

The goodwill you build will not only be helping the community in which you live and work but will also indirectly benefit your business.

Lisa Song Sutton, J.D., is a serial entrepreneur holding ownership interests in several companies in the real estate, retail, and food & beverage sectors. In addition to her professional careers, Ms. Sutton writes about entrepreneurship and female empowerment and is actively involved in her community as a former Miss Nevada US 2014.

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With a musical invitation to “be our guest” crowned with a show-stopping, tap-dancing solo by 9-year-old Max Naidl, the summer production of “Beauty and the Beast” will no doubt fill the house at the Hamilton Playhouse this weekend.

Naidl is one of 58 children, kindergarteners through high school seniors, participating in the week-long summer camp focused solely on producing a full-fledged youth musical in five days.

“Every year, these kids amaze me,” said denise rose, executive director of Hamilton Players and director of the youth show. “After only two full days of rehearsals, three-fourths of the kids are virtually off-book. They’ve memorized their lines and the words to the songs while I’m still trying to remember their names – I try so hard and continually apologize. Obviously, there’s a lot of patience involved.”

To her advantage, rose has designed the youth summer program to rotate through three Disney productions with familiar songs and scenes.

“I knew we were going to do ‘Beauty and the Beast’ this year, so I’ve been practicing the songs for awhile in case I got the part, even though I didn’t know for sure,” said Madison Smits who will be playing the part of Belle. She is from California and spends several weeks every summer in Hamilton with her grandparents, Lynn and Paula Smits. She will be a senior in high school this fall and has participated in the Hamilton Players’ theater camp since sixth grade. “I knew if I practiced, it would make these five days less pressured,” she said.

This summer’s “Beauty and the Beast” completes rose’s strategic three-year rotation of junior Disney productions. Last year, the kids performed “Aladdin” and the year before was “The Little Mermaid.”

“It not only helps the program because we can stockpile costumes and supplies, but the kids get excited about returning,” said rose. “They may be in the chorus when they’re little and watch older kids playing major roles, but three years later they can try out for one of the principals because they’ve seen it before and tell themselves, ‘I can do that.’”

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She purchases a Disney youth production kit through Music Theater International, who licenses the show and provides scripts for each child, as well as choreography DVDs, vocal rehearsal CDs and a performance CD that mimics an orchestra pit. The beginning audio even includes a few minutes of an orchestra’s pre-performance warm up.

“It makes it really authentic and fun,” said rose. “It’s an amazing product to work with.”

She also has assistance with vocal coaching and choreography from Hamilton High School’s choral director, Peggy Bucheit. Eric Monson has been coaching the kids and youth program alum Julianne Symmons has been assisting with choreography. Hamilton Middle School teacher Kristi Rodriguez has been wrangling the youngest actors all week in their half-day camp and a few parents have been on-site to help.

Nine-year-old James Wallace has been cast as Belle’s father, “Crazy old Maurice.”

He is from Oregon and his cousin Julianne Lessig is from California, and they are also are in town visiting grandparents and enjoying being involved in the theater camp.

“A voice in my head kept telling me during auditions that I was going to be Belle’s father,” Wallace said. “And I guess he was right. It’s really fun.”

Lessig not only enjoys participating in the camp, but said she loves the new friends she’s made that she can see after the week is over. “I never would have met them any other way,” she said.

A first-timer at being on stage, 9-year-old Deanna Villa is grateful for the experience and the scholarship that allowed her to participate. Her family’s home burned in May and they have been living in a local motel since then. “It’s really hard work but it’s better than being in the motel,” she said. “I stay up studying my script every night before I go to sleep.”

Naidl said he rehearses for several hours with his mom after he gets home in the evening. “I got a pretty big part, so I’m a little nervous because we’re getting close, so my mom helps me practice my music and blocking and lines,” he said.

During a Thursday rehearsal, Bucheit was helping Belle and the Beast practice their dancing scene out on the porch of the playhouse. “I love working with the kids in this camp because they’re so motivated,” she said.

The cast is much larger than in prior years, rose said. “We’ve had 30 to 35 kids in the past but have 58 this year. It makes it a little tricky with costumes, but we’ve expanded our chorus roles so all the kids can participate as much as possible.

“We also couldn’t have done this performance without the sponsorship of The Paper Clip and a matching grant by our local First Interstate Bank and First Interstate Bancorp,” said rose. “We were hoping for another grant, but that didn’t happen so we’re making the best of it.”

The scenery will be simple and representational since another Hamilton Players production “The Odd Couple” is in rehearsals right now. “Their set is partially built and so we’re sharing space this week,” rose said. “Luckily everything is coming together and the kids are adorable – I give them a lot of credit.”

“Beauty and the Beast” will be performed on both Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. at Hamilton Players on Ricketts Road with open seating for guests. Tickets are not sold in advance in favor of good-will offerings at the door. A $5 donation per seat is suggested. The lobby will open at 6:30 p.m. and seating will begin at 6:40 p.m. For more information on the second session of theater camp or future shows, including next week’s “Broadway and Bubbly” events.

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DESIGNER Paul Vasileff was just 16 when he started his own label, Paolo Sebastian.

Now 25, the young Adelaide man is killing it in the fashion arena, with his designs being worn by the Kardashians, Giuliana Rancic and brides all around the world.

The down-to- earth designer took some time out ahead of the launch of his new couture collection, The Nightingale, to speak with Sophie Perri at his new design house on Gouger St.

How many wedding dresses are you working on?

We’re generally working on 50 to 100 clients at a time.

Do you have to turn people away?

We were, but since we have moved here (into the bigger space), we haven’t had to. Where we were in Torrensville was really limited.

Have you ever ruined a dress — have you stepped on it, or spilt coffee on it?

I don’t drink coffee first-up but we’ve got a strict no-food rule. I did ruin a pair of pants I made for myself once. I accidentally cut them at the back with the scissors.

Would you ever make menswear?

I used to, but menswear is surprisingly a lot harder than womenswear … technically and also style-wise. Because men’s clothes are so basic, the lines have to be perfect and if I do something I want it to be 100 per cent. To do an old-school tailored suit by hand takes a lot of time and dedication and patience.

When a celebrity is photographed wearing one of your designs, what happens afterwards?

We get inundated with calls for the dress. People will either ask, “where is this available, or, can I order one?’’ Some people will want it in different colours, or want it in white as a wedding dress.

What was it like when you dressed Carrie Bickmore for the Logies, were you watching the red carpet from home?

That year I went over and helped dress her and all of that … I think last year we had five girls we dressed so we had to do the rounds. They all get dressed at the same time so it’s like you have to be in five places at once. They all book out the Crown so you’re in the same complex but you’re running from one end of the building, going up and down floors. Sara (Paul’s media co-ordinator) and I were running from pillar to post, and I’m wearing a suit and sweating. I think I got vertigo because I was going from ground to top floor in a few seconds and bolting out.

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Would you open a store overseas?

We actually just signed up with Harvey Nichols Kuwait just out of Dubai, which is really exciting. And New York we are stocked in so we are looking to sign with a few stockists there. But long term down the track I would love to have a store in Paris or somewhere like that. That would be amazing.

Is that the ultimate dream?

Yeah. It’s kind of hard to think about that at the moment because there’s just so many things going on and it gives me a headache thinking about all the work that goes into that, but ultimately that’s the dream, to have something in Paris or Milan.

What are you thinking about when your head hits the pillow?

It’s crazy, it’s like, ‘go to sleep, don’t even think about what you have to do’. There’s so many things in one day that will go through my mind — I’m designing, I’m meeting with clients, my head has to be around all the dresses we’re making, and we’re a staff of 12 now so I need to know what everyone is doing. Plus I’m constantly trying to think of ideas for other collections and all of that.

When do you wake up?

On an average day I get up at 7am and go to the gym and get to work at about 10.30am but for example on Sunday night I was here until 2.30 in the morning.

What were you doing?

Drawing. Inspiration hit so I had to take it when it came and just go with it.

You learned about fashion from your nonna?

Both of my grandmothers were sewers, not professionally, but were very good at it. My dad’s mum passed away when I was six months old so unfortunately I never got to really meet her but my mum’s mum has always sewn since I can remember, and she looks at it as an art form which is how I treat it.

She must be proud.

Every time I’m in the paper she keeps it and calls me to tell me. My family and friends have been there for me the whole time. That’s something that’s really important to me and that’s why I’ve chosen to stay in Adelaide, because I can be around them and have that support. When I lived in Italy so many amazing things happened to me but most of the time I was by myself — and who do you get to share that with?

When you think about what you were like when you started this at 16, to how you are now, how different are you — what have you learned about business?

Oh, so much. When I started I had no idea what I was doing, I was still in school. I literally just wanted to start a fashion business and my own label. I was really lucky with the support I got from family and friends. I had that goal in sight and I still have that same goal in sight. At the end of the day I just wanted to make people feel special in the dresses I made. And I love making those statement pieces that when girls it put on, they have that Cinderella moment and I love being able to do that. I can’t describe what that feeling is but it’s really special. And that’s just how I run my business, with heart. That’s the basis of how I’ve run my business over the past eight years. Every decision that I have to make is made by instinct and by gut.

Having great success at a young age is something that could go to your head. Have you ever caught yourself having a diva moment?

We joke about that. That’s not me and I think if it was and I started being that way I would get cut down pretty quickly by my friends and family. At the end of the day they’re just dresses, I’m not curing cancer or anything like that. I don’t think anyone really has the right to be a diva … I think everyone should treat others the way they want to be treated. Respect is a big thing for me and has been since I was little. But yeah, we do joke about being diva-ish at work, I have fake tantrums and demand a coffee or a juice from one of the girls.

Are you an organised person? Do you make lists?

No (laughs) I’m a creative person so by nature I’m not organised. But I am in my own way, if that makes sense. I’m not a list person. I have a small list on my phone but that’s it. It’s harder now, but back when I first started I never had to write anything down. I’m getting a bit older and not as alert …(laughs) Seriously when I was younger I used to be able to work until 3am and get up for school the next morning.

How did you deal with that?

I was fine. I just loved it so much it didn’t bother me. Some classes I do remember getting told off for falling asleep but I think that was the class.

Do you get stressed?

I don’t really lose my head or get stressed too much because my mentality is, at the end of the day, the job has to get done, whether you stress about it or shut up and do it. Don’t get me wrong, there have been times where everything has fallen to pieces but you can’t sit and cry about it, and I don’t cry, I’m not a crier. Tear ducts don’t work! If you’re the type of person who does cry it’s probably the wrong job for you, because you’ll be crying a lot.

Do you get recognised a lot?

Yes. And it’s funny every time. I still don’t believe that it happens. People are lovely, some people want a photo, some just say ‘hey’ … It happens on Saturday nights. Then my friends are stupid and whisper to people, ‘do you know that’s Paolo Sebastian over there?’. It’s mainly when I’m out with the boys from school. I don’t really notice most of the time. It’s my friends who will say, those people over there are staring.

Does it unsettle you?

It does get a little unsettling when they just stare, I prefer it when people come up and say hello so I know what they’re looking at me for, because sometimes I get selfconscious and think, ‘is there something on my face?’.

Do you have a big wardrobe?

Huge.

How big?

There’s a thing in my room I call clothing mountain.

Sounds small.

It’s all clean clothes, it’s just there’s nowhere for them to go. My whole life I’ve bought items that are good quality and I have things from when I was 16 that still fit me and still look brand new because I take care of everything. Whenever I wear my trench coat I bring the little Burberry bag with me in the car (laughs).

What’s the last thing you splurged on?

I always splurge on food. Whenever I’ve had a busy day at work and I think, yeah we did some good work today, I’ll go walk to the markets and get some cake. I’ve just discovered Lucia’s which I really love.

Do you still live with your family?

Yeah. I ain’t moving out (laughs).

What do you do at home?

At the moment I haven’t been able to do anything for ages but I normally just hang out, watch TV if I get time … eat dinner, get changed into my pyjamas and go to bed. Or I’ll go for a walk, I’m lucky that three of my best friends live in the same street, so we just catch up. I think a lot of people expect me to do something special but mostly it’s getting food. I’m mostly just eating.

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Humberto Leon and Carol Lim set up an open-air movie theater in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris on Friday night for the premiere of their collaboration with American independent filmmaker Gregg Araki.

As temperatures sizzled late into the evening, guests including Rufus Wainwright, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Gildas Loaec, Joana Preiss, Grace Bol, Lily McMenamy and Toilet Paper founders Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari gathered to enjoy burgers and beers at the pre-Fourth of July bash.

“Carol and I are huge movie buffs and for me, Gregg is, like, up there with the best of the best,” said Leon, explaining how the short film came about.

“We always kind of give people different entry points into the brand, and I think it’s exciting that some kid in the middle of nowhere is a Gregg Araki fan and is going to watch this, and I think that it’s interesting, because then he or she might say, ‘Oh, what is Kenzo?’” the designer explained.

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“Here Now” features a cast of young actors including Jacob Artist, Jane Levy, Grace Victoria Cox, Jake Weary and Avan Jogia. The film also stars Nicole Laliberte, who appeared in Araki’s 2010 film “Kaboom.”

“One of my favorite things about filmmaking is casting. I love discovering new people and working with rising stars,” said Araki. “One of the saddest things about this movie to me is just that we only shot a day and then it was over, because I wanted it to sort of go on.”

It was the director’s first time working with a fashion brand. “I could see how their sensibility very much sort of was on the same wavelength as mine, and so it was kind of pretty easy,” he noted. “My fans tend to be so loyal and they’re so passionate, and so I kind of made the movie as a little love letter to them.”

As guests gathered to watch the film on a giant screen, Araki chatted up a storm with Brady Corbet, who is putting the finishing touches to his directorial debut, “The Childhood of a Leader,” starring Robert Pattinson, Stacy Martin and Bérénice Bejo. Before anyone asks, the feature is not about Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini.

“The entire film is a kind of fable set around the weaknesses of the Treaty of Versailles, which is a very particular subject. But the film takes a lot of poetic license. It starts off in a place that is very correct and accurate in terms of the history, and then at a certain point, decisively takes a dive into a virtual history,” he explained.

“It’s a very, very ambitious art project and so everything that’s great about it is also what’s been very painful to make happen,” Corbet added, noting that the movie features a grand orchestral score by musician Scott Walker and should be ready by the end of the year.

Rad Hourani is finding that combining his passions for fashion and art involves the occasional hiccup: The Canadian designer was forced to cancel his couture show this season. “I wanted to do something in a theater and in the end, it didn’t work out with the actors, but it’s going to be a movie that I will preview in January,” he said.

“I’m no longer really interested in seeing models walk down a catwalk. I find it really boring,” explained Hourani, who will stage his first solo contemporary art show at the Arsenal in Montreal in November.

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