Wednesday 31 December 2014

Model Gemma Ward lands her second major fashion campaign after a six-year hiatus as she stars in new Prada ad

Model Gemma Ward lands her second major fashion campaign after a six-year hiatus as she stars in new Prada ad

After her surprise appearance on the Prada runway in September, Gemma Ward has landed a spot in the Italian fashion house's latest campaign.
The 27-year-old Australian model, who had previously been on a six-year hiatus, stars in the black and white spring 2015 campaign, shot by Steven Meisel.
The mother-of-one, who gave birth to daughter Naia in December 2013, poses wearing a sleeveless brocade dress from Prada's spring '15 collection.
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Gemma Ward, who had previously been on a six year hiatus from modeling, stars in Prada's new spring 2015 campaign, shot by Steven Meisel
Gemma Ward, who had previously been on a six year hiatus from modeling, stars in Prada's new spring 2015 campaign, shot by Steven Meisel
It has been a big year for Miss Ward, who made her modeling comeback in October with a campaign for Australian fashion and lifestyle brand, Country Road, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. 
This month she also graces the 55th anniversary cover of Vogue Australia; the fourth oldest Vogue magazine the world after the U.S., UK and France.
The last campaign Miss Ward starred in was for Dolce and Gabbana in 2008. 
Speaking about her break from modeling with Sunday Style, Miss Ward admitted: ‘I felt maybe a bit mute as a model sometimes. And I was exhausted. I wanted time, to find my story, my…power.'
After her surprise appearance on the Prada runway in September (pictured), the 27-year-old has landed a spot in the Italian fashion house's latest campaign
After her surprise appearance on the Prada runway in September (pictured), the 27-year-old has landed a spot in the Italian fashion house's latest campaign
She added that the break was a 'personal choice,' and explained that she is 'all the better for it.'
Miss Ward, who was the youngest to ever grace the cover of American Vogue and was rumored at the height of her career to be earning $20,000 per runway show, left from her original modeling agent, Vivian's, last year and signed with IMG Models - which also represents Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr and Kate Upton - before giving birth to her daughter.
'It has given me a strength of purpose,' Miss Ward told the Sydney Morning Herald of motherhood.
'It's also created a confidence for me. I stepped away (from modeling) and I'm back with a feeling of pure enjoyment. I see it in my future now and I can't wait.' 


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PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Rodriguez heads to Mexico for bikini fun after a fast and furious year of work and heartbreak

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Rodriguez heads to Mexico for bikini fun after vowing to take 12 months off to bounce back from fast and furious year of work and heartbreak

Michelle Rodriguez swapped her Fast and Furious life for rest and relaxation while in Mexico this week. 
The 36-year-old actress enjoyed a day of bikini fun with friends while exploring the magnificent Gran Cenote caves just outside Tulum on Tuesday. 
She slipped into a white bikini for a day of snorkeling in the clear waters and even had a GoPro camera on hand to capture the experience. 
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Carefree break: Michelle Rodriguez explored the Gran Cenote caves in Mexico on Tuesday 
Carefree break: Michelle Rodriguez explored the Gran Cenote caves in Mexico on Tuesday 
Bikini fun: The Fast and Furious star showed off her incredible body in a white two-piece
Bikini fun: The Fast and Furious star showed off her incredible body in a white two-piece
Bikini fun: The Fast and Furious star showed off her incredible body in a white two-piece 
She appeared in great spirits as she larked around with her pals and puffed away on what appeared to be a vaporizer.  
Michelle recently vowed to take a long break after a busy and difficult year. 
The seventh installment of her hit Fast and Furious film franchise was released and she was also dealing with the death of her friend and co-star, Paul Walker, who was killed in a car accident in November last year.   
Making a splash: The star explored the caves with a GoPro camera in hand 
Making a splash: The star explored the caves with a GoPro camera in hand 
Soaking up the good life: MIchelle recently vowed to take a year off for rest and relaxation  
Soaking up the good life: MIchelle recently vowed to take a year off for rest and relaxation  
She admitted last month: 'This year has been too much and I need some time out.
'I’ve been working hard and now I want time off. That’s what I do. Work hard, play hard. I don’t think that’s much to ask or want.'
She continued: 'I don’t have anything in the pipeline at the moment. I’m free. I had so much heartbreak last year that I am taking a year off to do something different, like write.'
She has started dabbling in the DJ world and performed at Zapata’s Gramercy Park earlier this month.
Michelle is understood to be single after a busy year of relationship highs and lows.
The star, who is bisexual, enjoyed passionate but short-lived flings with supermodel Cara Delevingne and actor Zac Efron.   
Puff: The star had vaporizer on hand after the dive
Fun with friends: The actress appeared in good spirits as she posed up for a picture with pals
Fun with friends: The actress appeared in good spirits as she posed up for a picture with pals
Smiling again: Michelle has had a difficult year dealing with the death of her co-star Paul Walker 
Smiling again: Michelle has had a difficult year dealing with the death of her co-star Paul Walker 


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2892771/PICTURE-EXCLUSIVE-Michelle-Rodriguez-heads-Mexico-bikini-fun-vowing-12-months-bounce-fast-furious-year-work-heartbreak.html#ixzz3NWJtPc43
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2015 arrives around the world as the UK gets ready

Shard prepares for New Year's Eve with highest ever countdown as the rest of the world celebrates the arrival of 2015 

  • Shard in London will beam out the highest ever New Year's Eve countdown as the world celebrates arrival of 2015
  • Skyscraper to come alive with dazzling lights display - including Western Europe's highest countdown clock
  • Fiji and New Zealand welcomed 2015 with fireworks and celebrations at 11am GMT, followed by Australia
  • New Years Eve celebrations have begun around the globe with thousands gathering in Sydney
  • Display in the Sydney Harbour featured seven tonnes of fireworks and is thought to have attracted 1.6million
  • Beijing will celebrate with an event in the Olympic Park to highlight its bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics
  • Hundreds gathered in Hogamanay, Scotland for a New Years Eve-eve party on Tuesday night
The Shard will tonight beam out the highest ever New Year's Eve countdown as the rest of the world continues to celebrate the arrival of 2015.
Europe's tallest skyscraper will provide the glittering back drop for a night of festivities when it lights up the night sky in London.
The 300-metre building will come alive with a dazzling lights display, including Western Europe's highest countdown clock, as parties get underway across Britain tonight.
It comes as millions around the world continue to welcome in 2015 with a series of spectacular fireworks displays.
In Sydney, Australia, an estimated 1.6million people turned up to watch more than 10,000 aerial fireworks, 25,000 shooting comets and 100,000 pyrotechnic effects on show during this year's New Year's Eve display over Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.  
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The Shard will tonight beam out the highest ever New Year's Eve countdown as the rest of the world continues to celebrate the arrival of 2015
The Shard will tonight beam out the highest ever New Year's Eve countdown as the rest of the world continues to celebrate the arrival of 2015
What a way to go: Sydney and Australia say goodbye to 2014 as the new year rolls in across the globe
Merry new years tidings: Fireworks explode over Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers during New Year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur
Going off with a bang: An explosion of fireworks erupted over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong as the city ushered in the New Year
Going off with a bang: An explosion of fireworks erupted over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong as the city ushered in the New Year
Arriving in style: Sydney locals, Demi Bryant, 22, and James Hundt, 28, celebrate the beginning of the New Year atop a high-rise overlooking the iconic Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks sitting on a Ford Mustang
And we're off: An estimated 1.6million people gathered on the shores of the Sydney Harbour for the midnight fireworks show 
And we're off: An estimated 1.6million people gathered on the shores of the Sydney Harbour for the midnight fireworks show 
Heavy artillery: This image shows just some of the seven tonnes of fireworks that were set off around midnight in Sydney
Heavy artillery: This image shows just some of the seven tonnes of fireworks that were set off around midnight in Sydney
Nearly there: Thousands of people watched the fireworks in Sydney from some 50 vessels in the water
Nearly there: Thousands of people watched the fireworks in Sydney from some 50 vessels in the water
Happy New Year: The midnight show over Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House welcomes 2015

The Shard's festive display has changed daily in recent days using beacons, smoke machines, LED panels and projections. The artwork, called Shard lights, has been installed on the top 40 storeys of the tower.
It has been created by award winning art collective, Jason Bruges Studio, in a bid to 'evoke the spirit, energy and dynamism of London.'
The public piece of art has been designed to celebrate the year The Shard came to life, opening to businesses and the public and becoming an internationally recognised beacon for modern London.  
In Sydney earlier, hundreds of umbrellas and tents began popping up on Sydney's Blues Point early Wednesday morning as people settled in to wait for the symphonic light display, with huge queues forming overnight to secure a prominent view.
Malaysia celebrates the New Year 2015 in modest mood in honor to the victims of the Malaysia Airlines MH370 and MH17 plane tragedies and floods that hit the country at this time claimed 24 lives and more than 200,000 have been evacuated
Malaysia celebrates the New Year 2015 in modest mood in honor to the victims of the Malaysia Airlines MH370 and MH17 plane tragedies and floods that hit the country at this time claimed 24 lives and more than 200,000 have been evacuated
Five decades of independence: Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence with a year long festival
Five decades of independence: Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence with a year long festival
Fireworks go off at the Taipei 101 skyscraper to celebrate New Year 2015 in Taipei, Taiwan
One big global show: Fireworks go off at the Taipei 101 skyscraper to celebrate New Year 2015 in Taipei, Taiwan
All over the globe: Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbour as Hong Kong celebrates the arrival of 2015
All over the globe: Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbour as Hong Kong celebrates the arrival of 2015
Konnichiwa 2015: Some 2,000  people release balloons beside the Tokyo Tower to celebrate the New Year in the Japanese capital
Konnichiwa 2015: Some 2,000  people release balloons beside the Tokyo Tower to celebrate the New Year in the Japanese capital
People are gathered as fireworks explode over the Yokohama port during new year celebrations in Yokohama, near Tokyo
People are gathered as fireworks explode over the Yokohama port during new year celebrations in Yokohama, near Tokyo
Worldwide cheer: Hundreds of South Koreans gather to celebrate the New Year at the Imjingak Pavilion near the border village of Panmunjom, which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War, in Paju, north of Seoul
Worldwide cheer: Hundreds of South Koreans gather to celebrate the New Year at the Imjingak Pavilion near the border village of Panmunjom, which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War, in Paju, north of Seoul
Moment of peace: Buddhists light candles during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea
Moment of peace: Buddhists light candles during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea
While much of the evening was dedicated to celebrating, floral tributes to Martin Place siege victims Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson were on display amid the evening's fireworks. 
'It is in memory of the two young and talented people that we lost because of that siege,' said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
'We remember the trauma the hostages experienced, the bravery of the police and we remember the way Sydney responded as we expected - an inclusive, welcoming, multicultural community,' he said.
Sydney Harbour will be a beacon of celebration as Australia farewells another year, sending 2014 off with an extra round of fireworks. In what is believed to be a first, drones will be used to live stream the fireworks as they launch from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and several barges in the water.   
Silent prayer: A woman prays during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul
Silent prayer: A woman prays during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul
Religious holiday: Buddhist monks and believers pray during a ceremony to celebrate the new year at Bongeun Buddhist temple in Seoul
Religious holiday: Buddhist monks and believers pray during a ceremony to celebrate the new year at Bongeun Buddhist temple in Seoul
A burst of orange light brightens up the night sky in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, as the country welcomes in 2015
A burst of orange light brightens up the night sky in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, as the country welcomes in 2015
Revelers watch a laser show being projected on buildings as the countdown for the New Year begins in Manila, Philippines
Revelers watch a laser show being projected on buildings as the countdown for the New Year begins in Manila, Philippines
Chinese folk artists dress up for a drama performance during the New Year's Eve count down in Beijing to promote the city's 2022 Winter Olympic bid at Olympic Park
Chinese folk artists dress up for a drama performance during the New Year's Eve count down in Beijing to promote the city's 2022 Winter Olympic bid at Olympic Park
Actors carried feathers and wore a range of colourful outfits for the event in Beijing as the city counted in 2015
Actors carried feathers and wore a range of colourful outfits for the event in Beijing as the city counted in 2015
Laser lights illuminate the Lujiazui financial district of Pudong in Shanghai during a light show as part of a New Year countdown celebration
Laser lights illuminate the Lujiazui financial district of Pudong in Shanghai during a light show as part of a New Year countdown celebration
Lift off: China has marked the end of 2014 by launching a Long March-3A rocket carrying a meteorological satellite from a facility in Xichang, Sichuan Province
Lift off: China has marked the end of 2014 by launching a Long March-3A rocket carrying a meteorological satellite from a facility in Xichang, Sichuan Province
First up: A grand fireworks display lit up the sky at the stroke of midnight in Wellington, New Zealand
One down: New Zealand, along with Fiji, was among the first nations to welcome the new year at 11am GMT
One down: New Zealand, along with Fiji, was among the first nations to welcome the new year at 11am GMT
One down: New Zealand, along with Fiji, was among the first nations to welcome the new year at 11am GMT
More joy: Fireworks were set off from the top of the Sky Tower to welcome the New Year in Auckland, New Zealand
Smashing show: More than 10,000 aerial fireworks, 25,000 shooting comets and 100,000 pyrotechnic effects are expected to be used
Smashing show: More than 10,000 aerial fireworks, 25,000 shooting comets and 100,000 pyrotechnic effects are expected to be used
For the world: Drones will be used to live stream the fireworks as they launch from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and several barges
For the world: Drones will be used to live stream the fireworks as they launch from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and several barges
Honuring those lost: Tributes to the Martin Place siege victims are planned amid the evening's fireworks in the harbour
Honuring those lost: Tributes to the Martin Place siege victims are planned amid the evening's fireworks in the harbour

In the Chinese capital Beijing, eight hours ahead of London, an event will be held in the Olympic Park designed to highlight the capital's bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Skaters will perform and Olympic medalist figure skater Zhao Hongbo, Paralympics gold medalist swimmer Yang Yang and pianist Lang Lang will appear.
Japan prepared for 'osechi ryori', the country's biggest traditional holiday on New Year's Day. At midnight, temple bells will strike 108 times, the number of evils, or temptations, as defined by Buddhism. 
There will be fireworks and bonfires around the nation as millions of people flock to neighborhood temples and shrines to pray for health and happiness.
In Rio De Janeiro, two hours behind London and Greenwich Mean Time, more than 1million people are expected to flock to Copacabana beach, where two dozen artists and DJs will perform on three stages. Tourists and locals routinely party until dawn on the beach, staying awake to watch the tropical sun rise for the first time in 2015.
A massive fireworks display blasted from boats in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean will light the sky over the crowd, which traditionally dresses in all white, a Brazilian New Year tradition to bring purification and a peaceful year. 
Another tradition calls for partygoers to enter the sea up to their knees and jump over seven waves shortly after the New Year begins, for luck. 
Europe - get ready! A visitor writes '2015' with a light pen in front of the Eiffel Tower  in Paris, France ahead of the new year
Europe - get ready! A visitor writes '2015' with a light pen in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France ahead of the new year
Incoming: 2015 is written in the air with a sparkler at the frozen Mana River in the Taiga district outside Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk
Incoming: 2015 is written in the air with a sparkler at the frozen Mana River in the Taiga district outside Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk
Anniversary: A floating installation of 25,000 wishing spheres line Marina Bay, Singapore as the sovereign-city state prepares to celebrate its golden jubilee of 50 years of independence from Malaysia in 2015
Anniversary: A floating installation of 25,000 wishing spheres line Marina Bay, Singapore as the sovereign-city state prepares to celebrate its golden jubilee of 50 years of independence from Malaysia in 2015
Annual display in the Sydney Harbour will feature seven tonnes of fireworks and is expected to attract 1.6million
Annual display in the Sydney Harbour will feature seven tonnes of fireworks and is expected to attract 1.6million
The harbour is expected to dazzle as 50 vessels carrying over 8,000 people erupt in light shortly after the first round of fireworks at 9pm
The harbour is expected to dazzle as 50 vessels carrying over 8,000 people erupt in light shortly after the first round of fireworks at 9pm
Thousands of people have already started the festivities on Wednesday morning, streaming into Sydney's CBD in anticipation of the evening's spectacular fireworks
Thousands of people have already started the festivities on Wednesday morning, streaming into Sydney's CBD in anticipation of the evening's spectacular fireworks
New Year's Eve celebrations have already started across North America with New York's traditional crystal ball already in place in Times Square.
The Waterford crystal ball will drop at midnight, in a tradition being increasingly copied across the United States with twists celebrating local icons. Las Cruces, New Mexico, is spicing up New Year's Eve with its first chili drop. In Miami, a 10-meter (35-foot) neon orange will light up, while Atlanta and Nashville, Tennessee, will drop a peach and a musical note, respectively.
Flagstaff, Arizona, celebrates with a 2-meter (6-foot) pine cone that drops from a downtown hotel. Nearby Prescott drops a 2-meter (6-foot) spurred cowboy boot in a nod to its western culture.
On Lake Erie in Port Clinton, Ohio, the community will carry on its tradition of dropping a 270 kilogram (600 pound) walleye made of wood and fiberglass.
Michigan's Upper Peninsula will ring in 2015 with a nod to its mining history, with a replica of a pasty - a baked pastry filled with meat and potatoes traditionally associated with Cornwall in the UK - to drop in Escanaba, one of the remote region's largest cities. The meal was popular by miners who immigrated to Michigan decades ago.
In Scotland celebrations have been underway since Tuesday night when Edinburgh kicked off the Hogmanay festival, which is the UK's biggest outdoor winter music festival
Large crowds are expected at the world-famous street party which will see performances from Twin Atlantic, Twilight Sad, Eddi Reader and this year's Mercury Prize-winners, the Edinburgh-based act Young Fathers.
The concert in the gardens is being headlined by Lily Allen, who will be joined by special guests Bjorn Again and Soul II Soul. A midnight fireworks display will welcome in 2015, followed by the traditional mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne. 
In London fireworks will light up the sky above the South Bank at midnight and celebrations will carry on until 12:45am with a live DJ set.
Gearing up: Fireworks are set off over Calton Hill during Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival on Tuesday night
Gearing up: Fireworks are set off over Calton Hill during Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival on Tuesday night
They sure know how to party: Men dressed as Vikings take part in the torchlight procession as it makes its way through Edinburgh for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations on Tuesday
They sure know how to party: Men dressed as Vikings take part in the torchlight procession as it makes its way through Edinburgh for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations on Tuesday
How they do: A midnight fireworks display will welcome in 2015, followed by the traditional mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne (pictured is celebrations on Tuesday night)
How they do: A midnight fireworks display will welcome in 2015, followed by the traditional mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne (pictured is celebrations on Tuesday night)
Let it burn, burn, burn: A fire surrounded by revellers in viking costumes burns on Calton Hill during Edinburgh's Hogmanay on Tuesday
Let it burn, burn, burn: A fire surrounded by revellers in viking costumes burns on Calton Hill during Edinburgh's Hogmanay on Tuesday
Doing it big: Edinburgh's Hogmanay, which kicked off last night, is the UK's biggest outdoor winter music festival
Doing it big: Edinburgh's Hogmanay, which kicked off last night, is the UK's biggest outdoor winter music festival
Don't drop the ball! Workers test out the lighting on the New Year's Eve ball used in the Times Square celebration in New York
Don't drop the ball! Workers test out the lighting on the New Year's Eve ball used in the Times Square celebration in New York
Jeffrey Straus, president of Countdown Entertainment and Brent Shafer, CEO of Philips North America, watch the Times Square crystal ball which is illuminated with 32,256 LED lights and is made up of 2,688 Waterford crystals
Jeffrey Straus, president of Countdown Entertainment and Brent Shafer, CEO of Philips North America, watch the Times Square crystal ball which is illuminated with 32,256 LED lights and is made up of 2,688 Waterford crystals


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2892866/Shard-prepares-New-Year-s-Eve-highest-countdown-Western-world-celebrates-arrival-2015.html#ixzz3NVcfyIoO
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