WASHINGTON, Sept 14: English soccer captain David Beckham and his wife ex Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, have unveiled 'Intimate Beckham', their own line of his-and-her fragrances. The scents were unveiled by two Beckham look-alikes at a launch party in London on Sunday and are set to hit stores in Britain on September 1.

David Beckham "is a portrait of modern masculinity" and his signature scent is a combination of grapefruit zest, bergamot and cardamom. While Victoria Beckham, is a "multitalented mother, wife, businesswoman and style icon" and her perfume is a mixture of lilies, tuberose, orange blossom, vanilla, sandalwood and musk.

David Beckham already has a cologne to his name, 'Instinct', and has sold more than 50,000 bottles at Superdrug, a UK chain. "It has proved to be enormously popular and is one of our best-selling brands. The Beckham brand has a very wide appeal, particularly to people who read celebrity magazines and think that Posh is really fabulous. They will buy the fragrances because they like them as a couple and aspire to what they have," Eonline! quoted a Superdrug spokeswoman as telling the Independent.

Princess Diana wanted to be America's First Lady, claims butler

LONDON, Sept 14: Her divorce from the heir to the British throne Prince Charles may have ended her hopes of one day being the UK's queen, but it seems that Princess Diana also had hopes of becoming America's First Lady.

Diana's butler Paul Burrell revealed that the 'People's Princess' was infatuated with American billionaire and politician, and that she dreamed of becoming the country's First Lady and visiting her home county on a state visit.

"She knew a billionaire in America and she suggested to him that if they were together, just suppose, his yearning to run in politics could lead to the White House and one day she could be the First Lady and she could visit Britain on a State Visit," a London based news daily quoted Burrell, as telling a US television channel.

The disgraced butler is currently on a worldwide publicity tour for a new book about his life with Diana when he made his claims on the interview.

And though he refused to name the billionaire involved, the most likely contender would be 64-year old Teddy Frostmann with whom she enjoyed a close friendship in the mid 1990s.

Burrell also revealed that Diana was "serious" about the idea at the time.

"Yes it was, at that time, she was serious about it. She was a huge fan of Jackie Onassis for years. And a huge admirer too of Nancy Reagan and Hilary Clinton, but Jackie Onassis had the edge," he said.

"And she fantasised about redecorating the White House. It wasn't a fantasy, it could have been a reality, it really could. They would have been a golden couple," he added.

Frostmann was introduced to Diana by business associate Lord Jacob Rothschild at a dinner party in London in July 1994, and although the two claimed their relationship was platonic, rumours of a romantic liaison made the rounds after they photographed secretly holidaying together in Martha's Vineyard.

Fashion Week kicks off in New Delhi

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Aug 30: The Fashion Design Council Of India (FDCI), has said that over 70 international buyers across 14 countries, and 90 domestic buyers, will participate at the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week beginning today here.

The last day (September 4), which will have no shows, will act as a platform for creating increased opportunities for buyers and participating designers, and will solely promote trade at India`s foremost B2B fashion trade event. The business centres will have over a 100 stalls.

``The participation of such a large number of buyers, both Indian and international clearly establishes WLIFW as the only fashion event in India truly dedicated to the business of fashion. Our primary objective is to promote trade,`` FDCI Director General Rathi Vinay Jha said.

Buyers and agents from renowned fashion houses who have confirmed participation include Galeries Lafayette (Paris), Maria Luisa (Paris), Marubeni (London), Sunmotoyama (Japan), Tsum (Moscow), M/S Zoxx Colours for living (Israel), Boho (London), RCKC (London), Sanskrit (Hong Kong), RSH-Mumbai Se (Singapore), Zinia Fashion (Kuwait), Saaya (Japan), Moda In (Kuwait), al- Shurafa (Jeddah), Ethina (UK), Khazana Lifestyles (Moscow), Indomix Inc (US), Uttam House of Design (US), Saasa (Turkey), The Fashion House (Dubai), Designers Lounge (Dubai) and Shatoosh (Spain).

In addition to these, buyers from the US, UK, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Paris, Singapore, Spain, Japan, Hong Kong, Turkey, South Africa, Switzerland, Italy and Australia have also confirmed participation. Of these, many are returning to WLIFW for the spring-summer showcase after April 2006 during the fall-winter event.

Domestic buyers include Kimaya, Ensemble, Evoluzione, Be:, Ogaan, Carma, Shoppers Stop Ltd, Elan Couture Pvt Ltd, Aza, Fuel, Kala Niketan, Sosa`s, Ffolio, Elahe, Zenon, Samsaara, Mogra, Hot Pink, 85 Lansdowne and Ayamik.

The WLIFW was made a bi-annual event this year, keeping in mind the timeline of leading fashion events both in India and globally.

Hilton is too hot for Indians!

NEW DELHI, Aug 24: Paris Hilton is too hot for Indian censors. The country's Central Board of Film Certification has issued an "Adult" certification for her new music video "Stars Are Blind," which means it cannot be broadcast on any channel.

An official at her local label, EMI Virgin India Ltd., reported that the board said the clip had sexual connotations. "In fact, we had edited the video and sent a fresh copy, but they weren't happy with that," said Narendra Kusnur, the label's manager of international A&R (artists and repertoire).

Since the marketing campaign for Hilton's debut album "Paris," released in India on Tuesday, has been sponsored by a shampoo company, the "Stars" video will be streamed on a promotional Web site, http://www.clinicallclear.com, once details are worked out.

"To the best of our knowledge, there are no rules yet regarding censorship on the 'Net so we plan to use the online platform to generate buzz," said EMI Virgin marketing manager Kaveri Khullar.

Flaunt that condom!

TORONTO, Aug 19: Condoms are very much in style as a fashion accessory at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, showing up on strait-laced men, shy teenagers and African grandmothers. "There's a great need to de-stigmatize condoms around the world, especially in Africa," Executive Director of The Condom Project, Franck DeRose said.

The project aims to get people comfortable about condoms, especially those living in countries where the little piece of latex is considered taboo. To do that, the project has a program that gets people making their own condom art pin. It all starts with a craft table, packaged condoms, scraps of coloured paper, candy and other double-sided tape.

Toronto resident Maria Parish, 58, was making hers with a blue condom and blue and yellow paper. "I want something to symbolise the flag of Ukraine," she said. "I am of Ukrainian descent and AIDS is a global problem," she added.

DeRose said that creating wearable art out of condoms attracts people who normally wouldn't wear the prophylactics, let alone touch them or even utter the word. "It opens the door," said DeRose. "We find that we're very, very successful," he added.

Almost 4,00,000 condoms have been decorated and turned into brooches or pins around the world including India, Thailand, Senegal and Burkina Faso, he said. Just this week alone, about 30,000 of the pins have been decorated at the conference, DeRose said.

People from different cultures and backgrounds wear them, trade them and even argue over safe-sex related topics while making them, including when to broach the subject with kids, DeRose said. "We're not pushing it on people. They come to us and the information is there," he said, adding his group teams up with the local information groups in the communities where his team visits.

"I don't think it's healthy or appropriate to change a culture. But we can change the risky behavior within a community." DeRose, an artist from Washington, DC, came up with the idea three years ago while talking about ways to get more people to wear condoms to fight the HIV epidemic. The program has since spread around the world.

"I have grandparents making them in Togo and Ethiopia. I have groups of heterosexual men making them in Washington," DeRose said. He also said he was also motivated by concern for his daughter, now 12, and 15-year-old son.

Adriana Bertini of Sao Paulo, Brazil, also was making a condom fashion statement. She had plastic mannequins sporting a dress made of orange condoms, a rose-colored mini, a blue harem outfit made of blue condoms, complete with a tight bodice and full-legged trousers. "The idea is you will see it and think of AIDS," said Bertini, who says she has been making her condom fashions for 10 years.

Crossover queen Shakira hip-shakes to new level

LOS ANGELES, Aug 18: It happened about midway through her 100-minute set Tuesday at Staples Center. Shakira tied up her black T-shirt to reveal her abdomen and those hips that don`t lie. With that move, the Colombian singer took her performance to a new level, hip-shaking her way through the heartbreaking Spanish-language hit "La Tortura."

It wasn`t like the crossover queen didn`t show off her considerable assets prior to that move. In the opening half of her set, the petite dynamo strutted around the stage barefoot, strapping on a sparkling electric guitar for the power ballad "Don`t Bother" and an acoustic for the Spanish sing-along "Antologia." She high-stepped her way through the jaunty "Hey You" and blew harmonica on "Te Dejo Madrid."

Yet it wasn`t until she showed off those shaking hips that she truly ignited the Staples Center crowd. Simply put, Shakira possesses the most influential pop music hip shake since Elvis Presley`s shook the world on "The Ed Sullivan Show" 50 years ago. But that`s not her only weapon. During her set, Shakira showed why she is the most successful Latina crossover artist, with emotional vocals that transcend language, pinup-girl looks and the sensual moves of a belly dancer.

It`s that combination of talent that has made Shakira a huge star around the world. This week her collaboration with Wyclef Jean, "Hips Don`t Lie," remains the No. 1 single in the U.K. for the third consecutive week. A few weeks earlier, she tied Red Hot Chili Peppers with the most nominations for MTV`s Video Music Awards, garnering seven.

In spite of her broad-based success, Shakira has managed to retain her Latino following by remaining true to her roots. More than half her set consisted of songs sung in Spanish, yet they were performed with such flair that even the English-only fans were entertained.

After she shook things up with "La Tortura," a modern-dance clip of the singer and another female dancer was projected on the scrim in front of the stage, allowing Shakira time for a quick costume change. She returned in a flowing, Madonna-worthy red gown to belt out "No," extending the winglike sleeves of the dress in dramatic fashion during the song`s climax. She also showed off the Arabic roots from her father`s side with a belly-dancing segment that led into the hit "Whenever, Wherever."

When the show closed with "Hips Don`t Lie," it was a bit anticlimactic. Since Jean opened the show, there wasn`t a person in Staples Center who didn`t know it was coming, Still, the celebratory feel of the song -- originally a throwaway track from 2004`s forgettable "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" -- managed to overshadow any lack of spontaneity. Even an overenthusiastic fan`s intrusion onto the stage and subsequent manhandling by security couldn`t put a damper on the party.

Ronaldinho's nets French model

LONDON, July 23: Brazilian football ace Ronaldinho broke the curfew rules imposed on the national team during the World Cup 2006 to have sexual romps with his French girlfriend Alexandra Paressant.

According to The Sun, Ronaldinho visited Alex almost every night at her hotel during the World Cup, made love to her, and then played the World Cup on Playstation, missing out on much needed rest and recuperation.

Alexandra said: "The Brazilian coach had banned WAGS from the team's hotel but we couldn't bear to be apart. So, nearly every night he would come to my hotel room and we would make love all night. Sometimes we didn't even make it into the room, we would make love there and then in the corridor. We are mad for each other."

Describing the football star as a very passionate person, Alex said: "He is as much a performer in the bedroom as he is on the football pitch." "One night he made me scream with such pleasure, the people on the hotel terrace below heard us because my window was open," she added.

Recalling her first meeting with Ronaldinho, Alex said that at first she thought he was a playboy like any other football star, but she later found out that he was a caring and sensitive individual.

"He is very cute, very polite. He treats me like a lady. He likes to take me for romantic meals and buy me little presents. We spend all our time together when we can. We spend a lot of time making love, a lot of time in the bedroom. He is the best lover I have ever had. I love him. I love him," she said.

It's maid trouble for Naomi Campbell

NEW YORK: Naomi Campbell is being accused of less-than-model behaviour again, this time by another of her maids who claims the supermodel hit her. In a terse single-sheet filing in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, Gaby Gibson accused Campbell of "personal injuries," "employment discrimination," "civil assault," "civil battery" and other complaints.

Gibson, who filed the lawsuit on Monday, on the eve of a Manhattan Criminal Court appearance by Campbell on charges of assaulting another maid, asks for "actual, compensatory and punitive" damages without specifying an amount.

The court document does not detail acts by Campbell, but in a published interview in April, Gibson said the model hit her on January 17, called her names and threatened to have her arrested.

Gibson told the New York Post that Campbell got upset after being unable to find a specific pair of jeans.

Gibson's lawyer, Thomas D Shanahan, did not immediately return calls for comment.

Campbell is due in court Tuesday on a similar charge that stemmed from a similar situation - the supermodel could not find a pair of jeans.

In that incident, Campbell is charged with assault for allegedly hitting Ana Scolavino in the back of the head with a cell phone in the model's Manhattan apartment.

Campbell allegedly accused Scolavino of stealing the missing jeans.

A British citizen, Campbell faces up to seven years in prison and deportation if convicted on that charge.