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History separates our president from his crown. I speak not of the power of office to slash and burn its citizenry. Instead it is the crown which represents the adornment of precious metals by leaders of the ancient world. Once, jewelry was the ornamental expression of power. Ancient Egyptians were experts at gold production and jewelry design often expressing some tenant of their belief system. The Pharaohs would bury themselves with gold in order to enter the next life wealthily. The Greeks adorned jewelry as an symbol of greatness insisting on massive pieces set with gemstones. Kings and Queens throughout the history Europe have worn crowns, perhaps the most recognizable symbol of power as produced by goldsmiths and jewelry makers.

Along the way the powers that be have traded in their crowns for suits and thrones for bullet proof limousines. Jewelry has been regulated to personal expression of style and not necessarily a symbol of power. Crowns can be seen at a school play or museum when they once required anyone close enough to sink to his/her knees and kiss the hand of the ever loving master. Other than military garb there are almost no symbols of jewelry as an expression of power in developed civilizations. This change is due primarily to democratization of government in the west. Long ago the cycle of power remained within the confines of blood relatives. Then, the arrogance of power was outwardly displayed with crowns of gold, robes studded with glittering stones and polished rings set with precious metals.

Fear of losing ones position of power has diminished the showing of excess. The first politician to show up in a crown and robe will surely be tossed from office after a duly extended period of ridicule. The expectation today is the more politically powerful one is the less flamboyant one should be. There is a difference, of course, between the substance of true power and the power of wealth. Those with real power make law and authorize wars. Purely wealthy people, like those in the entertainment field, are culturally influential and can be seen sporting the latest in Cartier watches fitted with obscenely expensive diamonds without fear of repercussion. Musicians, actresses and sports stars gallivant about with stones dangling from their ears, necks and wrists. They are not, of course, accountable in the same ways as the policy makers. They are judged mostly by their performances and as artists expected to be stylish, including the adornment of jewels.

Yet, why are the policymakers not allowed to be stylishly expressive. If his work is superior does it matter that Mr. Senator is wearing the latest in diamond stud earrings. What about a crown? Why should the president be chastised for wearing one? It should only emphasis the grandeur that is the presidency. The vice president can carry a gold staff and pound the floor before speaking. In fact, many more people might be more interested in politics if senators and congressman dressed more stylishly and wore more ritualistic jewelry. We can praise our leaders for what they have always been. All hail the president king.

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Hooded Jackets, better known as ‘hoodies’ have been a staple of the average American household for years. We use to rock them to elementary school or slap them on when we didn’t feel like piling on clothes. Hoodies come in several styles. Pull-over, zip-up and even half-hoodies for those wanting to show off their abs. Unfortunately, my tummy can be seen even if I cover it up. You can even get heavier made ones for skiing and snowboarding.
The hoodie is a very useful item of clothing and is hopefully shaking off its bad boy reputation. It is easy to wear, easy to wash and can be thrown on over anything. They are great for keeping warm in the fall and spring without the added bulk of a heavy coat. Worn under a smart jacket, a hoodie can add an air of casual style. Worn with jeans and trendy sneakers it can give a youthful, sporty look. They are an affordable way for men or women to show off their personality because they come in endless numbers of colors and styles.
Practically every top male clothing designer now makes hoodies. Although they may call them hooded sweaters, hooded sweatshirts or even track jackets or zip tops, we know a hoodie when we see one. Armani, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci all make men’s hoodies. The real reason why hoodies are so popular is that they come in 100s of 1000s of designs, colors, sizes or can even be customized to fit your own personal creativeness. Companies, schools and other entities design their own for advertising with their logos included. If you want to turn a dressy, simple black dress into something you want to rock for a night out with friends, pair it with a snug hoodie that’s made to lightly hug your shape and it has small pockets, you can choose the casual hip hoodies.

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Designer Natasha Ulyanov’s fashion collection will be presented on Sunday, March 26, 2006 at the Champagne Fashion Brunch to be held at La Prima Donna restaurant, 163 West 47th Street, in New York City’s famous theater district. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the show starts at 1:00 p.m.

The timeless elegance of Natasha Ulyanov’s fashion designs springs from her juxtaposition of European heritage and American confidence. Born in London and raised in Moscow and New York, Natasha has a cosmopolitan perspective on the philosophies of various cultures on beauty and sophistication. Natasha took her cue for fashion design from her experience in visual arts and oil painting, having studied at the Greenwich Academy and having her work published in Art World magazine. Taking art to the next level of turning it into a living expression, Natasha immersed herself into the world of fashion design, graduating from New York’s acclaimed Parsons School of Design and later working with designers Alice Roi, Carolina Herrera, Badgley Mischka, J Mendel and Valentino. Motivated to launch her own line, her first signature collection was inspired by the ever-stylish Audrey Hepburn and was shown at New York’s Guggenheim Museum as part of the most-visited exhibit in the history of the museum entitled “Russia”.

Natasha Ulyanov continues working to become an influential force in the fashion industry, giving those who wear her designs a new form of expression. Her ageless sophistication and attention to detail and shape bring out the wearer’s inner beauty.

“With the participation of Ms. Ulyanov in the upcoming Champagne Fashion Brunch it all comes together in one place,” says producer Andres Aquino, “Flavor, taste, ambiance, culture and couture. You have delicious Tuscan cuisine, fine champagne, fashion from a Russian designer and a Dominican designer, jewelry from South African and Austrian designers, beautiful models, exquisite makeup and hair styling and an audience from three continents as well as press and stylish music. This is a unique forum where designers connect directly with high-end consumers in an elegant relaxed atmosphere in the Times Square area right in heart of New York City.”

With the upcoming web casting of the fashion shows and launch of the company’s own magazine as well as ongoing advertising in the New York Times, Playbill and many other publications, there are many opportunities available to sponsors and advertisers looking to reach an affluent fashion-conscious audience at both the national and international levels. Tickets to the shows are becoming hot commodities as appreciation gifts and corporate incentives for Fortune 500 corporations as well as special family and social gatherings. Other guests include celebrities out for an unusual afternoon or evening activity and buyers looking for unique fashions for their boutiques. Attendees come from around the USA, the Far East, Europe, Canada and South America. People are buying tickets up to six months in advance. Tickets are available through the company website – www.usafashionshows.com – as well as through various ticket outlets worldwide.

Participating designers present some of the best wearable couture and exquisite accessories. Recent shows have featured collections by designers from a host of countries including Austria, South Africa, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Russia, Israel, Bulgaria, England, India, and the USA. Some already have their lines carried in exclusive stores like Bergdorf Goodman and chic boutiques on Madison Avenue as well as in other fashion capitals.

Portions of Champagne Fashion Brunch proceeds support children’s charity providing food, clean water, medical care and other assistance in poverty stricken countries around the world.

Producer Andres Aquino is CEO of USA International Fashion Shows and founder of Fashion Syndicate Press. He also produces Couture Fashion Week, Bridal Fashion Week and the Martini Fashion Dinner series.

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If you’ve ever considered making your own jewelry but really didn’t know any of the jewelry making techniques that it takes to make your own necklaces, bracelets, earrings or any other kind of jewelry, why not pick a book up on the subject? Or better yet, why not search the internet.

We live in the information age and there are jewelry making techniques everywhere, for making all sorts of jewelry, you just have to know where to look for them. The best place to start when looking for jewelry making techniques is with your favorite search engine.

Go Online

Use your favorite search engine and search for jewelry making techniques. If you wish, tailor the search to include your favorite type of jewelry. If, for instance, you are wanting to make Native American jewelry, you can search for Native American jewelry making techniques and you will likely be bombarded by how-to articles on the subject.

Not only will you find the jewelry making techniques to make your own jewelry, but you’re also likely to find places to get the jewelry making materials as well as a history of how the jewelry first originated. By working in this way, you are essentially following in the footsteps of people who first made the jewelry, as if you are discovering it for the first time.

Jewelry making can be a lot of fun, especially if you know the proper jewelry making techniques. You can make one type of jewelry or you can make several. You can even sell the jewelry once you get the jewelry making techniques down pat. By following in the steps of the pros, and by following their jewelry making techniques, you are undoubtedly going to be approached by at least one person wondering where you got such a piece of jewelry and also how they, themselves, can get one too.

That’s where you tell them that you made the jewelry using the latest jewelry making techniques and you could soon be in business for yourself selling great home-made jewelry.

Just make sure the site is reputable. You’ll know fairly soon, however, which sites give the best jewelry making techniques as it will all be apparent from the appearance of the jewelry you create. The best techniques create the best jewelry and vice versa. So, stick with the pros and never buy store-bought jewelry again.

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