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Kate goes nude to 'empower women' and more fashion news!

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Kate Winslet

Welcome to the weekly fashion round-up, where we bring you the latest on supermodels, style, designers and everything in-between!

Which supermodel gets nervous if her husband attends her fashion shows? Which singing diva has revealed how she slimmed down following the birth of her baby?

When I go nude it empowers women, says Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet, who often tops sexiest actress polls, thinks that she looks no better than the average woman.

The 36-year-old actress, who famously went topless as Rose DeWitt Bukater in Titanic, insists that she doesn't have "perfect boobs".

Even though she believes she has imperfections, Winslet has no qualms about signing up for sexy romantic scenes.

She has appeared partially naked in films such as Little Children, The Reader, Holy Smoke! and the recent Emmy-winning US television drama Mildred Pierce.

The down-to-earth actress is pleased if her relaxed approach to nudity makes other women and actresses feel comfortable about it too.

"I look like the people that walk down the street. I don't have perfect boobs, I don't have zero cellulite -- of course I don't -- and I'm curvy. If that is something that makes women feel empowered in any way, that's great," the Sun quoted her as saying.

"On a deeper, subconscious level, it's one of the reasons why I've allowed my stupid self to be so naked on screen."

"It's partly because I do believe that it's right for the character and it's right for the story but it's also knowing that not many people do that, actually -- and not just that, but I'm a normal person," she added.

'50 Shades of Grey' credited with return of bondage-inspired swimsuits

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Deepika Padukone in a bondage-style Herve Leger swimsuit on the cover of Vogue Magazine last month

While modest ladies would normally rejoice at the news that little string bikinis are out and the tank suit is making a comeback, these are more cut-out than cut-in.

Bondage bathing suits, like the 590-dollar Agent Provocateur 'braided one-piece', do their best to barely cover your rear.

"There's a resurgence in popularity of the one-piece, which is not to say it's more conservative than the bikini," the New York Post quoted Fashionista.com editor Leah Chernikoff as saying.

Gold rings and ropes strapped around the pelvis look like they were inspired by the S&M novel 50 Shades of Grey and are sure to leave wearers with artistic tan lines.

"There was a trend in bondage fashion before 50 Shades of Grey, but it's becoming even more prevalent because of the book," Chernikoff said.

Even professional athletes who spend their days in Speedos are getting into the craze.

Last week, Australian swimmer and three-time Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Rice, 24, posted on Twitter a risque shot of herself wearing a bondage-inspired two-piece from Veve Swimwear.

"Women are looking to have more fashion sense and make a fashion statement with their swimwear," Allison Davis, a fashion publicist with Alison Brod PR, stated.

"The beach has become a runway of high-fashion neoprene and spandex. People are looking for a suit that's not necessarily for swimming but more for showing fashion sense while laying out," she added.

The trend started last year on the runways of haute-couture designers like Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier and has finally trickled down to the almost-naked masses.

The master of the bandage dress, designer Herve Leger even turned his popular cocktail-outfit concept into a skimpy suit. The poolside version uses less than half the material of the tight dress -- but costs more at 1,155 dollars.

Being world's hottest woman keeps me slim, says Kim Kardashian

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian, who is a goddess to some and everything that's wrong with modern life to others, has revealed that the "world's hottest woman" title helps her stay in shape.

The 31-year-old socialite first shot to fame in 2007 when Keeping Up With The Kardashians, the reality TV show that follows the fortunes of her famous Californian family, started its run.

"Hottest woman in the world?" the Daily Express quoted her as saying. "That's so weird when people say that. If only they knew what I look like without these Spanx on. Seriously though, having that title is a pressure, but I enjoy it because I like to stay in shape."

"I work out very hard and try to eat healthily. If I ever feel like I'm getting off balance, I cut back on junk food. That title keeps me on my toes," she added.

Beyonce reveals how she slimmed down post baby

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Beyonce

Beyonce has admitted that she nibbled on lettuce and ran on the treadmill to lose 60 lb after giving birth to her daughter Blue Ivy in January.

The Grammy Award winner was keen to show off the results of all her hard work at the BET Awards in Los Angeles, going to the event in a curve-skimming yellow frock, slashed to the thigh with a metallic belt cinching her tiny waist, the Daily Express reported.

The singer picked up the Best Female R&B Artist Award at the function.

Miranda Kerr doesn't like Orlando Bloom watching her fashion shows

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr has revealed that she never wants her husband Orlando Bloom to be in the audience at her Victoria's Secret fashion shows because it makes her nervous.

The 29-year-old supermodel admitted that seeing her spouse in attendance makes her nervous, so she asks him not to join her at work.

"I never really want Orlando to be there (in the audience of a show) because it makes me nervous," Contactmusic quoted her as saying in the August issue of Britain's Harper's Bazaar Magazine.

The mother-of-one also revealed that the only time he insisted on being present at a catwalk event, he may have sparked a mishap.

"But last year, he was like, 'You have no choice, I'm coming'. And the one time he was attending the show, my shoe decided to fall off," she added.

Milla Jovovich takes inspiration from Liz Hurley's 'safety pin' Versace gown

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Milla Jovovich

Model-turned-actress Milla Jovovich caused a stir after she stepped out in a daring dress similar to Elizabeth Hurley's 1994 black Versace gown, which was fastened together with large safety pins in 1994, at a fashion show.

All eyes shifted to the 36-year-old in Paris on Sunday when she arrived at the Atelier Versace fashion show in the peek-a-boo black dress held together with metal rings.

The mother-of-one completed her look with natural makeup and an elegant black clutch bag.

It's likely that the Resident Evil star was inspired by Hurley's fashion forward frock, which she wore to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral with then boyfriend Hugh Grant.

Hurley's dress has since earned a page in fashion history and was hailed as the greatest red carpet gown of all time in 2008 by UK department store Debenhams.

"Liz Hurley's daring safety pin dress is one of the most famous black dresses worn on the red carpet, which made her a household name overnight," the Daily Mail quoted a spokeswoman for Debenhams as saying at the time.

Matthew McConaughey's wife lands modelling gig

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Camila Alves

Camila Alves has scored her first modelling assignment since she tied the knot with Matthew McConaughey last month.

The Brazilian model has been roped in as the face of Macy's latest clothing line and will front a new campaign for the department store's private label, I.N.C.

"Camila has a beautiful, multi-ethnic appearance that will appeal to a diverse customer base. She's on the red carpet, but she's also a mother. It's an incredible package that will deliver star power to our star brand at Macy's," Contactmusic quoted a spokesperson for the retailer as telling Wwd.com.

I don't do crazy diets, says Penelope Cruz

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Penelope Cruz

Penelope Cruz has said that she doesn't believe in dieting, and instead relies on home-cooked meals to keep herself trim.

The Spanish actress married 43-year-old Javier Bardem in 2010 and gave birth to their son Leonardo in January last year.

"I'm a housewife and it's beautiful, the best thing in the world," the Daily Express quoted Cruz as saying.

"I know how to cook and it's important to me to make fresh food every day. I don't do crazy diets, just the good Mediterranean food that I love because it's important to eat well," the 38-year-old added.

I'm a little skinny, says Diane Kruger

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Diane Kruger

Diane Kruger worries that she's too skinny as she forgets to eat sometimes.

The 35-year-old actress has said that she doesn't have to follow a strict diet or fitness regime, because she is naturally skinny and eating often slips her mind.

"I do watch what I eat, but not for weight reasons. It will sound really pretentious, but when I am really busy I forget to eat," Contactmusic quoted the former model as telling the British edition of HELLO! Magazine.

"I feel like I am a little skinny right now, because I have just finished a movie and have been flying lots. I try to avoid all processed foods, too," she said.

Kruger, who is dating former Dawson's Creek actor Joshua Jackson, prefers to tone up the natural way and has stayed in shape by exercising outdoors, rather than doing dance classes or gym workouts.

"I only dance when I go out. For exercise, I tend to like the outdoors. In Paris, I rent a bike in the street and cycle around, and in LA I live up in the hills so I go hiking a lot," Kruger said.

"I like to stay fit by being generally active," she added.

Kate Beckinsale says she's not going down Hollywood surgery route

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale has revealed that she won't be going under the knife to reverse the ageing process any time soon.

As she poses for a new magazine shoot, the mother-of-one admits she hopes to age gracefully like her mother Judy Loe, 65.

Having lived in Hollywood for nearly 10 years, Beckinsale is frequently surrounded by surgically-enhanced men and women, which she admits has put her off.

"I feel like beauty is a gift that you have for a while, and you enjoy the hell out of it while you have it," the Daily Mail quoted her as telling Glamour Magazine.

"And if you're lucky enough to have a daughter and you give it to her, you enjoy the fact she has it. My mother was always very, very beautiful -- she still is, in her sixties."

"I'm sure she feels, 'Wouldn't it be nice if my neck did this?' but not to the degree of cutting parts of herself off and dragging them behind her ears. I feel very similar."

"I much prefer how my mother looks to the people I see here (in Los Angeles) with wind-tunnel face," she said.

She also hit out at the pressure on new mothers to lose weight after giving birth, insisting she was "gigantic" after she gave birth to her daughter Lily in 1999.

"There's an obsessional hatred of normal human processes. Pregnancy changes and woman's body and should. It isn't normal to not look like you've had a baby immediately after you've had a baby."

"I was gigantic after I had Lily -- I put on a good 3 and a half stone, and it didn't go 'til I stopped breast feeding...I was lucky that Britain wasn't so paparazzi-orientated (then)."

"I was allowed to get on with it and enjoy my baby -- and figure out what being a mother was all about instead of worrying about (fitting into) my fking jeans," she added.

Victoria's Secret under fire for photoshopped 'beach bum' ad

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
The allegedly photoshopped image

Although Victoria's Secret represents some of the most beautiful women in the world, it hasn't stopped them from tampering with images of their models.

The new ad for the brand's Swim Style Finder promotion features a noticeably bow-legged model who appears to have been photoshopped to extreme proportions.

The Facebook post reads "Calling all beach bums! Find your perfect fit," but the only problem is that the bikini model chosen for the new campaign seems to be missing her derriere.

More than 2000 Facebook viewers have hit out at the ad campaign, accusing the lingerie giant of altering the image beyond recognition of a normal woman's body.

"Congrats Victoria's Secret for further perpetuating the idea that skinnier is better. That did not need Photoshopping. When will you take a stand that its ok to be a healthy weight? When will you encourage a healthy body image? No wonder so many women have eating disorders..." News.com.au quoted one angry user as writing.

This is not the first time that the label has come under fire for supposedly photoshopping its models.

In the past it has featured women with waif-like legs and barely-there waists.

Cheryl Cole 'can't do without heels'

Last updated on: July 7, 2012 10:33 IST
Cheryl Cole

Cheryl Cole has revealed that she loves her high heels so much that even her trainers are not flat.

She said that she always carries an old pair of high shoes with her wherever she goes, because they are more comfortable.

"I never wear flats, even my trainers have a heel," Contactmusic quoted her as telling Britain's InStyle Magazine.

"I always travel with old and new shoes, as ones that are broken-in are much more comfortable," she added.

She also insists on taking her makeup off every night no matter how tired she is.

"I always take off my makeup at night. Going to bed with dirty skin is like not brushing your teeth," she said.