The Olsen Twins prove they can cut it with fashion's elite with sophisticated Japanese-inspired collection for The Row

As winners of the Council of Fashion Designers of America womenswear design award this year, the Olsen Twins' high-end fashion collection, The Row, appears to have come of age.
For spring/summer 2013, Mary Kate and Ashley's uber-expensive collection was light, luxurious and very understated, taking its lead from 18th Century Japanese art.
The child stars-turned design duo sat among their guests for the New York Fashion Week presentation at the Carlyle hotel restaurant.

 

 

Coming of age: For spring/summer 2013, Mary Kate and Ashley's uber-expensive The Row collection was light, luxurious and very understated, taking its lead from 18th Century Japanese art

They explained in their show notes: 'This season The Row takes us to a world of pure, soft and delicate lightness.

 

'Inspired by the 18th century scrolls of Ito Jakuchu, depicting the Japanese traditions of bird-and-flower paintings, the new collection celebrates a spirit of subtle colors and exquisite layering.'

 

 

Scroll with it: Stiff duster coats echoed the texture of paper, while lighter silks were layered with crisp cottons and airy chiffons in perfect monochrome

 

 

New neutrals: The purity described in the notes came from a palette that ranged from white to pale gold

Under-the-radar: Ashley and Mary-Kate were not pictured at the event, but sat among their guests

Indeed, stiff duster coats echoed the texture of paper, while lighter silks were layered with crisp cottons and airy chiffons in perfect monochrome.
That purity described in the notes came from the palette of neutrals, which ranged from white to pale gold, offset by bursts of red and navy.
The collection was very 'Olsen', in that those drapey, layered silhouettes are so typical of what the girls wear around New York City - regardless of season - though it lacked the grunginess of past offerings.
It was definitely more elegant and refined, wisely targeting that older (wealthier) customer that so many designers fail to acknowledge.
We can be sure to expect Lauren Bacall to wear the new collection - she is the twins' muse and biggest fan.
And Michelle Obama, who wore a The Row skirt for an appearance on The View in April last year, may also find something to like.
Anyone else hoping to snap up a piece should start saving now. The line costs from $225 for a simple Tencel tank at Barneys, stretching well into four figures for leather skirts, dresses and bags.

 

Hot ticket: The New York Fashion Week presentation was held at the Carlyle hotel restaurant

Even Fifties pin-ups got the airbrush treatment! Before-and-after images reveal how artists retouched bikini shots

A set of photographs which inspired one of the world's leading Fifties pin-up artists, reveal how women's bodies were being airbrushed long before Photoshop.
The saucy behind-the-scenes vintage shots were used by Gil Elvgren to create colorful artworks, which came to define what was sexy during the mid-20th century.
But as the finished pieces show, the U.S. painter used his artistic license to render the 'idealised' woman, slimming the models' frame, adding more makeup, removing clothes, and livening up their facial expressions.

 

 

Slimming techniques:  Elvgren nips in this model's waist and limbs making her look considerably smaller

 

 

Blonde bombshell:  Elvgren experimented with colour, and his works often feature women with rouged lips

While the photographic images were in black and white, Elvgren would transform the scenes into colourful illustrations, drawing the women with bright eyes and rouged lips.

 

His wife Janet was the subject of much of his pin-up art, and after altering her physical appearance she would look like a completely different woman.
As well as altering the models' proportions and colourings Elvgren, who was born in Minnesota, would also create imaginary backdrops and landscapes superimposing the women on top.

 

 

Spot the difference: Mr Elvgren gives this woman a mop of red hair and reveals a little more leg and breast

 

 

Perfect housewife? The ideal 1950s woman proves she can make watering the garden look sexy

 

Will you be my valentine? Elvgren got his models to strike a variety of saucy poses

Many of the sexy images, recently published on Retronaut.com, were created using oil paint on canvas and Elvgren went on to paint more than 500 paintings throughout his almost 40 year career.
He also produced the artwork for dozens of calendars published by Brown and Bigelow, illustrations for a host of magazines, including The Saturday Evening Post and Good Housekeeping and most notably an array of ads for Coca-Cola.
One of the most popular early pin-up girls was Betty Grable, whose poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of G.I.s during World War II.
Other pin-ups were artwork, often depicting idealized versions of what some thought a particularly beautiful or attractive woman should look like.

 

 

 

Now you see it, now you don't:  Elvgren would regularly change the background and delete obsolete items

 

 

Change of scenery: Many of the pin-up illustrations feature imaginary backdrops

 

 

Flash of thigh: Elvgren decides to change this woman's pose to reveal a little more leg

Part of the pin-up girl's sex appeal was her ability to make everyday actions look provocative, even if that meant simply posing in a studio.
Notable contemporary pin-up artists include Elias Chatzoudis, Armando Huerta, and Chuck Bauman.
Another popular creative is Olivia De Berardinis who is most famous for her Pin-Up Art of Bettie Page and her pieces in the earlier editions of Playboy magazine.
In 1998 Elvgren's youngest son Drake co-authored a 200-page coffee table book titled Elvgren: His Life & Art, which includes hundreds of photos of Elvgren's work, including many of his Coca-Cola ads.

 

 

Feeling hot? This lady is drawn by a fireplace as she toasts some marshmallows

 

 

Special delivery: This woman has fun doing some gift-wrapping while wearing stockings

 

 

In the driving seat: Elvgren went on to paint more than 500 paintings throughout his almost 40 year career

Here it is! Apple unveils TALLER and THINNER iPhone 5 made of glass which comes with new panoramic camera feature

Apple has finally unveiled the massively anticipated iPhone 5.
CEO Tim Cook taking the stage in San Francisco, said ‘Apple has never been stronger’ as the new handset was revealed.
It has a larger 4" screen, along with a new dock connector and headphone design.
The phone will go on sale on September 21st, and will cost the same as the previous version, the 4S.

With a casing made from glass and aluminium, is it also the thinnest iPhone ever made, at just 7.6mm thick
It also contains an eight-megapixel camera which can take 28-megapixel panoramic shots.
Scrolldown to bottom for video:

 

Bye bye 4S, hello 5: Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, shows off the iPhone 5 for the first time

 

Take these images: Schiller said the camera 'makes the ocean look bluer, the kids happier' and takes fantastic panoramic images

 

Camera specs: One of the key improvements, according to Apple, is in the camera, with a re-developed lens and panoramic mode

 

 

 

 

Apple's future: CEO Tim Cook takes to the stage to unveil the iPhone 5

 

 

 

It's back: The brushed aluminium back of the new iPad still retains the classic Apple logo

Apple confirmed the phone, available in black and white, has a four-inch display, - 1136x640 - which is the same width as previous models but taller.

'EARPODS' FOR THE 'COMMON EAR'

Apple has also redesigned the iconic white headphones shipped with its products.
‘We’ve shipped over 600 million sets of headphones,’ said Greg Joswiak of Apple.

 

‘We’ve spent three years in designing an entirely new headphones - EarPods’.‘
'We 3D scanned hundreds of ears, and looked for a commonality,’ said Sir Jonathan Ive.
‘The shape of the EarPod is defined by the shape of the ear.’

It uses a new display which is 30 per cent thinner that previous handsets.
Schiller, vice president of marketing, said: 'It is designed to fit in the hand, and all of our software is being updated to take advantage of this display.'
The handset also has a new chip, the Apple A6, which is twice as fast as previous versions but 22% smaller.
The iPhone is expected to be the biggest selling in Apple’s history, with an estimated 8m set to be sold according to some estimates.
The battle for domination of the mobile market has become increasingly heated recently with Apple's competitors taking it on with a series of new products.
The firm boasted the new handset has eight hours of 3G talk time, and a 225 hour standby time.
It also has an eight megapixel camera with a 3264x2448 sensor, and has improved its performance in low light, and a lens made from sapphire crystal.
The handset also now has a panorama mode to create wide shots. ‘The ocean looks bluer, kids look happier,’ joked Schiller.

 

Rock: The Foo Fighters perform during the unveiling event in San Francisco

 

Concert: Foo Fighters lead singer Dave Grohl plays his guitar during the gig

 

Delighted: Apple CEO Tim Cook, left, and Dave Grohl, right, look at the new iPhone 5

 

 

Maps a-plenty: Scott Forstall, Apple's senior vice president of iOS Software, shows features on the iPhone 5

 

 

iPhone pricing: Previous models will take a drop as the 5 is rolled out. iPhone pricing in the UK is still unconfirmed

 

The new 'Lightning' dock: While providing someowhat of a disconnect for previous users, the new port is faster and can be plugged in either way up

 

Camera lens: A slide shows off the top edge of the new iPhone 5, with the newly-developed camera prominently displayed

 

iTUNES GETS AN OVERHAUL

Apple also revealed a redesign of its iTunes music store.
'Apple loves creating music products, it is embedded in our DNA,' said Tim Cook.
'Today we are announcing some exciting changes to iPod and iTunes.'
'The iTunes store in the number one in the world,' said Eddy Cue of Apple.
'More than 2/3rd of our downloads come from iOS devices, so we have spent a year redesigning the store from them.'

Schiller also confirmed the handset has a controversial new connector.
‘The iPhone from its start used the 30 pin connector, and it has served us well. A lot has changed and it is time for the connector to evolve - and out new connector is called Lightning.’

 

Apple also showed off a connector allowing people to use their existing chargers and accessories.
The handset will use iOS 6, and dumps Google’s maps for Apple’s own.
‘We’ve built in free turn by turn directions,’ said Scott Forstall of Apple as he demonstrated the new Apple Maps app.
‘We use a cinematic camera angle to fly you around corners.'

FIRST LOOK: Mail Online science editor Mark Prigg tests the iPhone 5

Maps scored highly in Mark's first look

After the announcement, Mail Online science editor Mark Prigg was given brief access to a device. He said:
The first thing that strikes you about the iPhone 5 when you pick it up is that despite being larger and packing more power, it feels far more comfortable in the hand than any other phone on the market.
The incredibly thin design and light weight make a vast difference, and while the screen is bigger at 4 inches, it is still a phone that can comfortably fit into any pocket.
The dual tone back also comes into play, making it ‘grippier’ than previous iPhones, and a handset you’re unlikely to drop.
Elsewhere on the phone’s exterior the headphone jack has been moved to the bottom of the device, and there’s the new, smaller dock connector.
Switch the phone on, and the new version of iOS is immediately snappier than in previous versions thanks to the new chip powering the handset.
The most noticable change is in the mapps app, and it looks incredible - although obviously we were unable to test just how good its coverage is.
The new 3D flyover feature is particularly impressive, and central London looks amazing, with Big Ben and other monuments in 3D you can ‘fly’ over.
All of iOS has been given a polish, and it shows - apps are faster and snappier (although we were unable to test how 'old' apps look on the new bigger screen.
Video playback is superb on the 4 inch widescreen display, and colours are vivid, and the touchscreen is far ‘snappier’ than in previous versions.
Overall, there is no one revolutionary feature to the iPhone 5 - the bigger screen being the most instantly noticeable.
But don’t let that put you off, as every part of the handset has been improved, and it shows - this is without doubt the best phone Apple has ever produced, and it puts clear water between Apple and its rivals.

Comparing Apples with Apples: The iPhone 4S versus the iPhone 5:

 

 

 

 

 

iPhone 4S

Height: 115.2 mm (4.5 inches)
Width: 58.6 mm (2.31 inches)
Depth: 9.3 mm (0.37 inches)
Weight: 140 grams (4.9 ounces)
Touchscreen: 3.5in
Pixel density: 326 pixels per inch
Display: 960 x 640 pixels
Services: 3G phone; music player; video player; internet browser; email
Camera: 8MP still camera and HD video camera on back. Second camera on front.
Siri: Voice controlled virtual personal assistant allows conversation with iPhone to direct it to answer questions, send texts and carry out other functions.
Built in Apps: FaceTime video calls; video editing; Safari internet browser; email; Google maps; YouTube; iTunes; App store; Newsstand; Reminders personal organiser; calendar; contacts; game centre; find my phone; calculator; weather; notes.
Processor: Dual core fast A5 chip, the same as in the iPad 2
Internal Memory: 16GB; 32GB; or 64GB
Other Memory: Purchases stored in Apple’s iCloud servers.
Battery: Standby time: Up to 200 hours; Internet use: Up to 6 hours on 3G/ up to 9 hours on Wi-Fi; Video playback: Up to 10 hours; Audio playback: Up to 40 hours.
Operating System: Apple iOS 5.
30 pin connector:  To power sources and docking stations on speakers, radios and other devices.
Prices: 16GB - £499; 32GB - £599; 64GB - £699

iPhone 5

Height: 123.8 mm (4.87 inches)
Width: 58.6 mm (2.31 inches)
Depth: 7.6 mm (0.30 inches)
Weight: 112 grams (3.95 ounces)
Touchscreen: 4in
Pixel density: 326 per inch
Display: 1136x640 pixels
Services: 3G and superfast mobile 4G phone; music player; video player; internet browser; email.
Camera: Smaller, higher spec, faster shutter speed, panorama function
Siri: Upgraded to allow spoken recommendations for films or restaurants. Possible to update Facebook status by voice command
Built in Apps: FaceTime video calls; video editing; Safari internet browser; email; Google maps replaced with Apple alternative including spoken directions; no YouTube as standard.
Processor: A6 chip said to be twice as quick as A5.
Internal Memory: 16GB; 32GB; or 64GB
Other Memory: Purchases stored in Apple’s iCloud servers
Battery: Standby up to 225 hours; Internet use up to 8 hours on 3G/4G; video playback up to 10 hours; audio playback up to 40 hours.
Operating System: Apple iOS 6
8 pin ‘lightning’ connector: to power sources and docking stations on speakers, radios and other devices. New adaptor will allow connections to existing 30 pin docking stations.
Prices: 16GB - $199; 32GB - $299; 64GB - $399

 

 

Flashback: This will be the first iPhone launch since the death of Steve Jobs, pictured here unveiling the first iPhone in 2007

Final preparations were underway for the launch today, expected to be one of the biggest in Apple's history.

 

APPLE'S YEAR SO FAR: HOW THE COMPANY COPED WITHOUT STEVE JOBS

CEO Tim Cook also told the expectant crowd about Apple's year.
The firm showcased its latest Apple store in Barcelona, which recently opened, as Cook said: 'We now have 380 stores in 12 countries, and welcomed 83 million visitors in April-June.'
Cook also revealed the firm’s notebooks were ranked one in sales for the last three months.
He said: ‘The Mac has significantly outgrown the PC’.
‘The iPad is driving the post-PC revolution as a breathtaking pace.
‘Just last quarter we sold 17m iPads, setting a new record for sales.
'We sold more iPads than any PC manufacturer sold of their entire PC lineup, with 84 million units sold in total.'
The firm also showed new figures revealed the iPad accounts for 91% of web traffic for all tablets, and revealed it now has more than 700,000 apps in the app store.

The firm also showed off a 3D flyover feature allowing people to virtually fly over an area, and showed off the software 'flying' over Big Ben in London.

iPOD ALSO GETS A REFRESH

 

Apple also revealed a new range of its iPod music players.
‘The iPod touch is the world’s most popular music player, and the world’s most popular games player,’ said Greg Joswiak of Apple.
The new iPod touch has a 4inch screen similar to the iPhone, and is 6.1mm thin, weighing 88 grams.
The new Nano, which resembles a tiny iPhone, is 5mm thin, and is available in seven colours and also has Apple’s new lightning connector.

A new app called Passbook also allows people to collect store cards, tickets and other information in a single app.

It can be used to show boarding passes on planes and for entry to concerts and sports games that support the codes.
Users can also share photo albums easily, and Apple’s speech recognition software Siri has been updated to give people sports scores, and even book restaurants.
Facebook has also been integrated into the service, allowing people to update their status via speech.
Sir Jonathan Ive said: ‘When you think about your iPhone, its the product you have with you all the time - we take changing it really seriously.
‘We want to make a much better phone. What makes iPhone 5 so unique if how it feels in your hand.
Apple also gave a glimpse of the manufacturing behind the iPhone.
‘We use crystalline diamond to polish the handset,’ revealed Sir Jonathan.
‘The variance between products we measure in microns’
The handset will cost the same price as the iPhone 4S, $199 to $399 depending on size.
It will begin shipping on September 21st in US, Canada and several other countries, and customers can pre-order from this Friday.

FIRST REACTIONS: HOW DID APPLE DO?

The phone has only just been announced - but critics seem impressed by what they see.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at uswitch.com, said: 'After the disappointment of an underwhelming iPhone 4S, there was a fair bit of pressure on Apple to deliver something very special.
'Fortunately for Tim Cook, his "beautiful" iPhone 5 should put the bite back into Apple.
'This time it had to be all about the hardware as much as software. In this regard, Apple has delivered and then some.
'On the downside, a new connector has thrown a spanner in the works .'

Best in class: What the iPhone 5 needs to compete against

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S3

Screen size:
4.8 inch
Processor:1.4 Ghz quad-core
Memory size:Up to 62gb (+64gb with card)
Operating system:Android Ice Cream Sandwich
Camera:Eight megapixel
Weight:
133grams
Dimensions:Height - 136mm
Width - 70mm
Depth - 8.5mm
Battery:
2100mAh

Nokia Lumia 920

Screen size:
4.5 inch
Processor:
1.5Ghz dual-core
Memory size:
32GB (non-expandable)
Operating system:
Windows Phone 7.8
Camera:
Eight megapixel
Weight:
185grams
Dimensions:
Height - 130mm
Width - 71mm
Depth - 11mm
Battery:
1800mAh

iPhone 4S

Screen size:
3.5 inch
Processor:
800 MHz dual-core
Memory size:
Up to 64gb (non-expandable)
Operating system:
iOS
Camera:
Eight megapixel
Weight:
140grams
Dimensions:
Height - 115mm
Width - 58mm
Depth - 9mm
Battery:
1432mAh

 

High expectations: How the market expects the iPhone 5 to fare

The iPhone 5 is expected to be the biggest selling in Apple’s history, with an estimated 8m set to be sold.
Sales of the new iPhone could add between a quarter and a half percentage point to fourth quarter annualised growth in the U.S., according to J.P. Morgan's chief economist, Michael Feroli.
The battle for domination of the mobile market has become increasingly heated recently with Apple's competitors taking it on with a series of new products.
Nokia and Microsoft recently joined forces to launch two new phones which will run on the Windows operating system.
The Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 are the Finnish company's attempt to claw back lost ground since it lost its position as the world's biggest phonemaker to Samsung.
Online retailer Amazon recently unveiled new models of its Kindle Fire tablets, which were previously not for sale in the UK, and are seen as rivals to Apple's best-selling iPad.
It is around a year since Apple unveiled the iPhone 4S complete with voice recognition software and an A5 chip allowing it to use much faster graphics for gameplay and to download data twice as fast.

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