360 DEGREES Weblog

A scaffolding of lights was attached to the first model who walked out at the Viktor & Rolf show on Monday, making her an autonomous, perambulating fashion show. “We wanted to emphasize how important the show is to us — so each outfit is a self-sufficient fashion show,” said Viktor Snoring, explaining the technical research that went into their astounding production on the first big day of the autumn Paris shows. (INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE)

They say that every little girl wants to be a princess when she grows up, and whether that is true or not, there is one industry that is practically based around the theory: the bridal industry. Disney has long been part of making dreams come true for kids and kids at heart and already does a booming wedding trade by holding receptions (2,000 or so a year) at their parks, but the company responsible for the creation of some of the ultimate fairy tale princesses, has decided to branch out even further. The will be releasing a line of Disney princess-inspired wedding dresses this year.

It would be hard not to feel like a princess in a Vera Wang gown, but if you want to look like Cinderella at the ball, now you can. Perhaps Scarlett Johanssen will lend you the glass slippers from Annie Leibovitz’s latest Disney shoot for the occasion.

Described as “Rocketboom for Wall Street” and “Squawk Box meets Saturday Night Live”, Wallstrip offers stock advice in a format that’s second nature to viewers who watch YouTube instead of CNBC. Wallstrip’s daily videos are taped in New York, hosted by actress Lindsay Campbell, and feature one public company in every 3-minute online show.

Wallstrip was founded in October 2006, aiming to be both sassy and serious while teaching a new generation of investors to pick their own stocks. The show was created by Howard Lindzon, who runs an investment firm and hedge fund in Arizona and a venture capital fund in Toronto. Following Lindzon’s personal investment philosophy, the focus is on stocks at all-time highs, like Apple, Google and Toyota, analysing why they’re strong and whether they’ll continue to increase in value. Man on the street interviews add to Wallstrip’s informal vibe.

The show has been voted one of the top podcasts on iTunes, and is also distributed via social video sites like Revver and YouTube. With enough VC backing to wait and see how its own value will develop, Wallstrip is in no hurry to chase advertising revenues, focusing instead on building a dedicated following of valuable eyeballs.

Light, entertaining and very digestible, Wallstrip’s pop-culture approach to the stock market should spawn siblings in every major financial market.

Website: www.wallstrip.com

Few have the audacity of a man in Switzerland, who conned one of the country’s biggest media companies into publishing a two-page advertisement he created of himself posing semi-naked beside a bottle of Gucci perfume. The man, who claimed to represent the Italian fashion giant, called up the Swiss weekly SonntagsZeitung last week to book the expensive color spread in Sunday’s edition, a spokesman for the paper said.

Christoph Zimmer told The Associated Press today the man asked for the $49,100 bill to be sent to Gucci. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Since English pride and joy became German money-maker, Rolls-Royce has stumbled in trying to capture that essence of absolute pomp and refinement that made the “flying lady” the pinnacle of automotive luxury.

In the Phantom they cut down every Oak tree in the land and slaughtered 1000 cows to line the cavernous interior. But it lacked something, it lacked the little eccentricities that said to you this machine has been sculpted by hand. But, if sneak previews of the new Rolls-Royce Corniche are anything to go by, we think we may have judged too soon.

Inspired by the 100EX concept car that appeared at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the two-door convertible oozes the bold lines of the Phantom, but adds just a little tongue-in-cheek to that big-toothed smile. With an exterior remaining faithful to the nautical theme of the 100EX – sweeping lines broken by chromed trim and bulbous wheel arches. The interior pays homage to the traditional English Gentlemen’s Clubroom featuring a palette of design philosophies including minimalism and Art Deco.

And with a 6.8 litre V12 engine under the bonnet, wistfully thundering down country lanes never felt so old-fashioned.

One of those ads you kind of had to be there to experience the full impact. Apparently, every time the referee was asking “Quiet please” the sound of the first letters of the Schweppes Brand (Schhhhh…) appeared on the score screens of the MASTERS ARENA STADIUM. Doesn’t have a whole lot to do with the product, but an interesting and engaging idea to say the least.

The popular Second Life virtual gaming environment has suffered its first terrorist action. The so-called ‘Second Life Liberation Army’, a home-grown terrorist cell of users, has staged an online attack for the first time, calling for democratic decision-making in the virtual community.
Terrorists ‘bombed’ an American Apparel outlet and a Reebok store as part of a campaign for more of a say in the affairs of the online community. (VNUNET.COM)

In need of a guesthouse or suitable modern accommodations? Designer Rocio Romero has been crafting fantastic prefab structures for several years now and her work can be seen across the world. Available in several different floorplans, the LV Home can be customized to your liking but the modern design comes standard with all homes. Chose between studio, two, and three bedroom plans. Each have massive windows and high ceilings, perfect for panoramic vistas of mountains or gentle rolling pastures.