SINGER, SONGWRITER, PRODUCER AND GRAMMY WINNER, SORAYA

DIES TODAY AT THE AGE OF 37

Los Angeles, CA.- It is with immense grief that we announce the passing of our dear friend Soraya, a beautiful person who through her music, sensitivity and struggles, inspired millions around the world.

Her unique musical style, stunning melodies and honest compositions made her one of the most widely recognized singer/songwriters and producers in the music world and the winner of many awards including a Grammy.

Soraya was an example of perseverance, strength, courage and compassion, who did not allow anything or anyone to get in the way of fulfilling her most important mission: raising awareness about breast cancer, giving hope to women who, like herself, suffered from this illness, and collecting funds for research to help find a cure.

She was tireless, and put forth all her efforts to help others. Her mission and passion for educating the Latin community on the early detection and prevention of breast cancer has been a source of inspiration for all of us and we will always be grateful for all of her efforts and the time she dedicated to such an important cause. (Donations to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation can be made through the www.soraya.com web page.)

Funeral services will soon be held in her honor in Miami, details will be announced in the following days.

We shall remember her for her courage and her unconditional love.

The following is a message from Soraya to members of the media:

Dear members of the media,

During all this time together you have been my faithful allies throughout this journey, helping me take my message to millions of homes. Your expressions of kindness, your ongoing interest in my career and my cause; you always did your part to allow my mission to become our mission and not just mine alone, our shared experiences...each and every one of these moments have made each day of my life especially important.

In a world where physical beauty reigns, speaking of such a complicated topic as is breast cancer would not be an easy task without you. The message of early detection and prevention of breast cancer has reached and has saved many lives thanks to the time you allowed me in the media. However our goal has not yet been reached, although I know that every day we are getting closer.

I know that there are many unanswered questions, that hope will not be lost with me, and most importantly that my mission does not end with my physical history. This is why during the past few months I have dedicated all of my energy to writing line after line, answers to those possible questions. As time passed, these lines turned into pages and they in turn have become a book. A book filled with sincerity and solid experiences; a book, which without your support, just as with my art and my mission, would not be more than a message without a destination.

Once again, thank you very much for all your love, all that is left is for me to modestly ask you to continue supporting our mission, do not give up... the road ahead is a long one and this is a battle worth fighting.

“… When the only sound that breaks the silence is your beating heart, In between the pounding you will find who you are. . . “

With love,

Soraya

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:18 AM EDT

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Eva's face is everywhere these days. The actress is on the cover of magazines with great circulation. She is in commercials, on the front cover of hundreds of magazines and in the hearts of millions of fans all over the world. With Desperate Housewives, she has found a niche in the American soap opera industry. Eva Longoria is our top Telenovelas actress on this side of the continent. Now, more Europeans are paying attention to her thanks to her romance of her French NBA player. She is on the cover of Glamour British edition magazine, Allure and GQ. Over the years, she has graced many other magazine covers.

Way to go, Eva!

That is why Oscar de la Renta said in the February issue of Vanidades, "We are in the century of the woman, who does not have to dress like a man to be able to succeed in the professional world. Now women are in total control of their destiny."

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 11:26 AM EDT

Updated: Thursday, 13 April 2006 11:28 AM EDT

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Designers of Original Fashion Want to Ban The Likes of Oscar-knockoff Dress Designer, ABS Owner, Allen B. Schwartz from Copying Creations [Splurge & Knockoff or Look-alike Fashion Market, ]

Knockoffs, as in Oscar-knockoffs, refer to the copying of hot designs by famous designers whose dresses are envied by rich superstars. Knockoffs are the opposites of originals. They can be inexpensive designer look-alikes, designer clones, lower-price versions of a great style, counterfeit fashion, interpreted look.

Let the true designers of expensive fashion come forward to justify the prices of their creation. Consumers raise their hands to their heads to cry and say no. They want to walk out of the room. Just a small group of them want to stick around. But the majority of them wants to have an alternative to the expensive goods. They join Allen B. Schwartz, owner and designer of Oscar-knockoff brand ABS. If there is a law banning the copying of high-end, posh prom dresses by Allen and his cohorts, then prom dress shoppers will be in for a surprise. Maybe the lively traditions of prom and quincenera celebrations will be eliminated from Junior high and high schools. Maybe it will be just like New Orleans where students do not even think about prom if a good samaritan from the rest of the country does not send in some collected prom dresses.

What will H&M, Zara, Gap and Banana Republic Do?

Customers may no longer be able to get their designer look-alikes fixes. They are not ready to spend thousands on a dresses which they will wear very irregularly. Allen B. Schwartz proves there is a market for those who are not interested in the splurge. A market does exist for those who can afford a $300 and up dress. Well, knockoffs have their shelf value. Many retailers will agree that more people buy the interpreted versions of fanciful, gorgeous dresses created by the likes of Gucci, Versace, Vera Wang, Zum Zum, Zac Posen, Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez. If these high-profile designers and the Council of Fashion Designers of America have their way, a new anti-copying campaign will soon be launched all over the country. Who will be the beneficiaries and the losers? If a bill is introduced in congress to regulate fashion design, then consumers will be forced to buy the expensive designs. That means there will be a limited supply of the white slip wedding gown worn by Caroline Bessette Kennedy in 1996. Von Furstenberg's wrap dresses will also be in limited supply.

Designers Want a Fashion Design Anti-piracy Act. How will It Work?

For sure, it is going to be a headache for major department stores. Copyright law protects a creator or original material. It protects songwriters and screenwriters for the creators' life plus 70 years. Clothing is not protected this way. So fashion designers are asking for a 10-year protection, based on boat hull statute. So nobody would steal the embroidered beige Elie Saab gown that Halle Berry wore in 2003. Vera Wang's yellow butterfly ruffles dress for Michelle Williams would be safe from being reproduced. Department stores want to continue to carry counterfeit fashion or knockoffs and originals. Both may have their own customers. After all, they want to sell. The consumers should make the calls. If there were no consumers wanting them, knockoffs would be eliminated. There is a market for them if you look at the figures obtained from ABS with Allen B. Schwartz, the king of Oscar Prom dresses. Dresses, clothes, handbags, shoes will be copied by foreign designers. How about the Chinese? Who will stop them from making great Oscar-knockoffs? They may justify their copying by saying that the so-called original designers must have gotten their inspirations from somewhere. They just happen to take their own inspiration from them. They, too, spend time researching fabrics, ideas and techniques. They are more interested in what the consumers want while providing it at an affordable price.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 2:29 AM EDT

Updated: Thursday, 13 April 2006 11:28 AM EDT

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It is now an official story. Katie Couric is leaving NBC at the end of May for the green stations of CBS News & 60 Minutes. She is joining a great network with a great tradition. But at the same time, CBS is acquiring a heck of a workaholic for its news division. Katie is a great worker, a trailblazing of a woman. Hey, it is time that we say congratulations to her. She or her agents held their ground and found something worth moving to.

Katie Couric made the announcement this morning on NBC. The crew showed her in a 172-year hair style sitting close to Bryant Grumble who had previously left for CBS. Then, soon after the clip, her sidekick on the Today Show, Matt Lauer, introduced her breaking news. Katie

"I wanted to tell all of you out there who have watched the show for the past 15 years that after listening to my heart and my gut _ two things that have served me pretty well in the past _ I've decided I'll be leaving 'Today' at the end of May," she said. "I really feel as if we've become friends through the years."

"Sometimes I think change is a good thing," Couric said. "Although it may be terrifying to get out of your comfort zone, it's also very exciting to start a new chapter in your life."

"It's hard to imagine being here and not having you sitting next to us," co-host Matt Lauer told her.

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High-yield Central Valley Shopping Centers for Sale

Skincare and Beauty Products

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 11:22 AM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, 5 April 2006 11:24 AM EDT

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There is nothing that says that dark skin is tougher than white skin. Darker skin may have more melanin which helps protect it against sun and slower the aging process. It also makes the skin more sensitive and vulnerable to injury. It is prone to scarring and hyperpigmentation. So be careful about what you apply to your skin in this search for perfection. People who are of Latin, Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, Caribbean and African American descent should require special care. It is not uncommon to see dark skinned people suffer from acne. Acne and ahir removal should be done with care.

Keep in mind that many common cosmetic procedures were geared toward lighter skinned people. In the past, scientists did not use to test devices, cosmetics and medications on people of different colors. Now that the country's ethnic population has grown up, there is an inclination to do that. Now the FDA is requiring companies and scientists to make sure that their clinical trials include Latinos, Chicanos, Hispanics, African, African-American, Indian and Asian people. After all, kids from various ethnic groups go to Sephora, Macy's, JCPenney, Gottschalks and other stores.

Some side effects to consider are hyper or hypopigmentation. Dark or light skin spots that result from any type of trauma. It could be a cut, burn, acne or eczema. In dark skin, popular fillers such as Restylane and collagen and even piercings and tattoos can cause keloids or raised scar tissue that should be surgically removed. Otherwise, they tend to grow back. Laser hair remove can burn, blister and scab the skin if the laser is too strong. Dar skinned people should use chemical-based sunblocks in the sun. Use SPF of 15 on the face and SPF30 on the body. Use those that have zing and titanium. Sunscreen helps out a lot.

Botanica Skin Care: Asian, Mediterranean, Italian, Latino, African American, Caribbean Skin Care

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 11:53 AM EST

Updated: Sunday, 2 April 2006 11:54 AM EST

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