Marbella to establish new land inspection registry: "Marbella Town Hall has taken another step to control building as the PP administration led by Ángeles Muñoz, has established a register of all inspections which will record any possible infringements found.
The Puerto Banus street market in Marbella is on every Saturday from 9am to 2-3pm. It’s next to the Plaza de Toros (bullring), 10 minute walk from the port.
The death last Saturday of a 42 year old worker from Cetursa, the company which runs the Sierra Nevada ski resort, has reset alarm bells ringing in Granada. The 42 year old died of a heart attack in his home in Güéjar Sierra and it’s not the first time that an employee at the Sierra Nevada has died so young. Union Commisiones Obreras calculates that some 20 employees have died over the past ten years from heart attacks, while a similar number have had to leave their posts because of permanent incapacity. Workers at the ski station think it is because they work at altitude, and although they get an extra payment for doing so, they are increasingly worried about their health. The first symptom of working at altitude is tiredness as the number of red cells in the b blood increases. Workers are now calling on the Junta, the owner of the Cetursa company, to carrying out an exhaustive study into the risks of working at such a height to see if there are preventative measures which can be taken. President of the workers committee, Miguel Ángel Vargas, has told the press that a study was started three years ago, and now because of the recession there is no money to complete it.
London Fashion Week is approaching and there are hospitality packages on offer for those keen to get a close-up look at the latest trends as the autumn and winter collections emerge. The event runs from September 16th to 20th, with the majority of the venues being located in Somerset House. Others include the Topshop Venue in the Royal Opera House, Fashion Scout in the Freemasons' Hall on Great Queen Street and the My Beautiful City, in the Old Sorting Office on the corner of Museum Street and New Oxford Street. The event features collections from the likes of Paul Costelloe, Christopher Raeburn, Vivienne Westwood, Holly Fulton, Michael Van Der Ham, David Koma and Topman Design. Speaking about the week, Caroline Reader, the event manager for London Fashion Weekend - which follows later in the month - said that she hopes to get away from her desk to see the collections by Christopher Kane and Richard Nicholl.
Fashion week photographs of Kate Moss or Agyness Deyn sashaying down the catwalk in the latest season’s designs appear in magazines and on front pages around the world. Yet look more closely and it appears that few of these images are taken at London Fashion Week. Many of the most talked-about models of the moment — some household names, some the next big thing — will appear at fashion weeks in New York, Paris and Milan, but not London. Some fly in for a day or two, others skip London completely. Industry figures say London has a lot going for it: creativity, innovation, cool. But compared with the other capitals, it doesn’t have the financial clout to attract the “hottest” models. Is this damaging London’s fashion reputation? “A lot of things have gone wrong with fashion weeks,” says Carole White, the founder of Premier models. “It’s causing a problem for the British fashion industry. London designers are not realistic about what they pay. Their rates have not moved on since 1983.” She says London offers models only a fraction of the fees they can command elsewhere. White knows what she is talking about. The workaholic, outspoken star of Channel 4 TV’s fly-on-the-wall documentary The Model Agency is the woman Naomi Campbell called “mum” for years (until they had a big falling out). She has represented the likes of Claudia Schiffer and Christy Turlington as well as famously turning down Kate Moss for being “too short.” The London “squeeze” has been debated since New York, due to start tomorrow, moved its position in the schedule. New York is traditionally seen as more powerful than London, which is how the change was pushed through two years ago. “Since New York got moved to the first slot, all the fashion weeks butt up against each other. It’s crazy.” White warns that some of the most in-demand models may struggle to make it to London, which opens on Sept. 16. It makes more sense for them to jet straight from New York to Milan. “There is a lot of politics going on here. They seem to think it helps the buyers. But it doesn’t help the models.” Aidan Jean-Marie, creative director of Premier and one of White’s bookers, says: “Big names like Kate Moss or Stella Tennant, they make their guest appearances elsewhere. We don’t have the money in London any more.” Last season one of the most memorable photographs from the shows was Kate Moss swishing down the runway in a rare catwalk appearance. That was for Louis Vuitton in Paris. But this isn’t so much about household names (many of these models no longer do catwalk work anyway as advertising is so much more lucrative). It’s about the young women who suddenly become “the latest big thing” on the eve of these shows. The model bookers argue that these “hot girls” (as they call them) are what creates the noise around a collection. “The buzz of London is the creativity,” White says. “And you want the best models to showcase that. They don’t have to be the most famous, but they have to be the coolest. If a girl is really tired and looks like she’s going to have a really good show season in Milan, the agents will say, ‘Let’s skip London.’ It tends to lessen us as a market.” For the models, London is apparently not that appealing: “Most girls are not avaricious. They want to cover their costs and make a little profit. But in London they can leave with a debt and have to return the next season to clear it.”
The buzz around London is that this is going to be the season of the new-established designers. Labels such as Erdem, Christopher Kane, and Peter Pilotto have garnered widespread coverage with celebrities donning their wares on the red carpet and fashion editors flocking to feature them in magazines but they still lack the widespread recognition of other established designers. This will be their year to stand out and join the big leagues. We shouldn't expect too many big-name models as it's been revealed that LFW designers pay much less than Paris or Milan and London is simply too short to make it worth their while. Scheduled September 16 - 20, The British Fashion Council petitioned to have London Fashion Week extended earlier in the year but an extension isn't in the cards this season. The Topshop Show Space has returned to the Old Eurostar Terminal from two seasons ago and will be equipped with the always popular cafe. Pringle of Scotland's new Design Director Alisair Carr is looking to photographer Watanabe Katsumi to inspire his debut collection. For 2012, Mulberry's Emma Hill was inspired by the British seaside. We should expect seventies silhouettes with floral fabrics and that signature Mulberry eccentricity. Matthew Williamson will be showing his collection in the turbine hall at The Tate Modern. Designers with the British Fashion Council's NEWGEN sponsorship are Holly Fulton, Louise Gray, and Michael Van der Ham. It has also been revealed that Van der Ham will be showing a collaboration with Christian Louboutin. Luxury hosiery brand Bebaroque is collaborating with PPQ for customized and jewel encrusted tights and bodysuits. The Aldo Rise collaborations with designers J.W. Anderson and Preen will be revealed. Tom Ford will be showing his collection to a very select group of buyers and press. It is by far the most hush-hush exclusive presentation of the week. Rumor has it that there may be a few last minute show cancelations due to budgeting but we'll have to wait and see.
In the frame: Carly Jo-Harlow shoots Imogen for her 2012 calendar
In one shot she leaned against the side of the pool, accentuating cleavage for the camera.
Later in the shoot, she removed her bikini top, although it's not clear whether she went completely topless for the sensual shot or whether she left it to the imagination of her fans by covering herself up in what's known as 'implied topless'.
While she also paraded around the pool in an all-white ensemble, soaking up the Spanish sun.
A source said: 'Imogen loved shooting the calendar and can't wait for her fans to see her new and improved figure. She's been spending hours in the boxing gym and at yoga to clear her head and it's paid off more than just mentally.'
All change please: Imogen swaps her pink bikini top for a white one
Yesterday, Imogen was pictured laying on a sunbed at the Buddha Beach Bar in the resort, where she spent just day filming scenes for This Morning.
She was seen checking her make-up, adjusting her bikini top and clutching onto a dialogue card as she prepared to film for the daytime television programme.
Sporting a rather high quiff and a pair of aviators, Imogen looked at ease as she laughed with crew members and looked at photographs on a digital camera.
The good life: Imogen has a laugh as she relaxes at the Buddha Beach Bar
She was accompanied by The Only Way Is Essex star Harry Derbridge, who is a regular in the Spanish resort - as are the rest of the cast of TOWIE.
Imogen has been updating her followers on Twitter about how Bikram yoga has been changing her figure.
Posting pictures of herself in her underwear, Imogen tweeted: 'I’m gonna post some photos to show u what bikram yoga does to your body.’
Hard at it: The model has been visiting the gym religiously which has contributed to her fantastic shape
Bikram Yoga is similar to traditional yoga techniques but sessions last for 90 minutes in a heated room of 40.6 degrees Celsius.
It is claimed to facilitate deeper stretching and prevent injury, while reducing stress and tension.
And Imogen is finding that it’s doing her abdominal muscles wonders after becoming a huge fan.
She has also been spotted this summer roller skating to workout her thighs, in-between her modelling and presenting gigs.
This years competition features a grand slam lineup including Swedish tennis legend, Bjørn Borg.
At a press conference this week the Swedish former tennis champion and manager of the tennis club (1979-1981), said that Marbella has always ‘been close to his heart’.
Spain’s former Wimbledon winner (1966) Manolo Santana who manages the Puento Romano Tennis Club said he has always admired Borg, and is “really looking forward to seeing him play”.
It is likely that this year's tournament will surpass last year's 15,000 spectators.
Borg and Yevgeny Kafelnikov will battle it out on the famous Puente Romano clay courts.
In addition to 11 time grand slam winner Bjørn Borg, former world number one and Russian ace Eugene Kafelnikov will be joined by past Wimbledon winner Pat Cash, as well as former world top 15 players Younes El Alanoui and Ronald Agenor. Mansour Bahrami of Iran will also return to the Masters to join the star studded line up with his trickery shots from all over the court.
As a member of the ATP, the Puente Romano Tennis Club, situated in the heart of the Golden Mile, a residential district between Marbella and Puerto Banus, about a 35-minute drive from Malaga International Airport has hosted some prestigious matches including the Davis Cup and the WTA with some of the biggest stars of the tennis world gracing its courts over its 31-year history.
The ‘Welsh Tiger’ flew in on a private jet spending two nights in The Imperial Suite – at €2,700 per night - in Marbella’s 5-star Puente Romano Hotel.
With tickets costing up to €375 each, more than 2,600 fans packed the hotel’s Tennis Club to watch the performance.
His fans - like him - nowadays appear more demure.
In the 60s, 70s and 80s, knickers thrown on stage by sex-hungry fans were a feature of his live performances.
But though the formed wowed fans with hit songs ranging from the Green Green Grass of Home to hits from his most recent gospel album ‘Praise and Blame’, only one pair of knickers was thrown throughout the 90-minute performance.
Whereas at one time Sir Tom warmed even more to his panting fans as the knickers flew stagewards, now the 71-year-old knighted star ignored the garment.
While many of his songs saw the crowd up on their feet, Delilah’, which topped the charts throughout Europe in 1968 was the biggest hit of the night with everybody moving to the tune.
During his encore ‘Kiss’ he gave the crowd a glimpse of his not-so-toned torso to the words ‘I know how to undress me’.
Salvatore D'Avino, 39, was traced by detectives after they spotted the snaps of his heavily pregnant girlfriend Brada Hint in front of sign giving the name and location of a Spanish restaurant. Italian police alerted the Spanish authorities who traced the couple to their hideout in Marbella on the Costa del Sol and arrested D'Avino. Facebooked: Mafioso Salvatore D'Avino, 39, was arrested in Spain after his girlfriend posted pictures on the social networking site Blunder: The mobster's girlfriend posted this picture of herself on Facebook showing a sign with the name and location of a popular restaurant D'Avino is said to be a member of the Giuliano clan of the Naples mafia which is known as the Camorra and had been on the run for almost ten years. He was listed on the Italian police's top 100 most wanted and had several convictions for drug trafficking. Italian police said he had also been arrested in Spain on drug charges and was said to be part of a plot to flood Marbella with more than 250,000 Ecstasy tablets. Police said he had been hiding in Morocco for years and travelled to Spain by boat a few days ago and his Moroccan companion followed him under a false name as she was about to give birth. Hint, 31, published several photos on Facebook of her outside upmarket Marbella nightspot Nikki Beach Club where the couple were staying and police swooped as D'Avino was filling up his car with petrol. A picture released by Italian police showed him handcuffed and wearing a designer Versace T shirt and shorts as he was led to a waiting squad car flanked by Italian and Spanish police. The Costa del Sol is a popular haven with gangsters from all over the world - including Britain - which has led to it being dubbed the Costa del Crime, in 2008 British mobsters were involved in a shooting at Nikki Beach Club. The Giuliano clan is one of the most powerful clans in the historical centre of the southern city of Naples and police had issued two arrest warrants for D'Avino in 2003 and 2007 on drug trafficking and mafia charges and he faces up to 20 years in prison. Thanks for the tip-off: Italian police contacted the Spanish authorities after spotting the pictures on line Marshall Angelo Mazzagatti, of the Naples police who led the operation said: "He couldn't believe it when police arrived and arrested him. He thought after nearly a decade on the run he was home free. 'When he asked how we had found him and we told him he was not at all happy with his girlfriend who is heavily pregnant and about to give birth. 'When we saw the pictures on Facebook we could not believe his girlfriend had been so stupid. It was very easy to track them down as she was stood in front of a restaurant sign in Marbella.' He added that D'Avino's Moroccan born girlfriend was not wanted by police and would probably be released after questioning. It is not the first time that a wanted mobster has been arrested by Italian police through Facebook. Last year on the run Pasquale Manfredi, 33, was held after police were tipped off he was a user and were given the false log in he was signing in with. He was wanted for murder after blowing up a rival with a bazooka and they tracked him down through the Internet provider address as he surfed the web from his hideout in Isola Capo Rizzuto. While in another incident earlier this year another mobster was caught after he posted on his Facebook site he was attending a biker's rally in France giving the exact venue and date.
Manchester City’s star midfielder Gareth Barry has generously given the keys to his luxury Spanish villa to a charity that supports sick children.
The charity, Sun and Happiness, have been granted access to the luxury Costa del Sol villa whenever Barry is not holidaying there, allowing children struck by poverty or life-threatening illnesses to enjoy some Spanish sun.
Speaking about his donation Barry said: "It’s a pleasure to donate my holiday home to this fantastic charity and I look forward to hearing the holiday stories of these amazing kids."
The Charity was formed by single mum Kim Wood and although Barry is the first footballer to commit to the giving up his holiday home both Wood and Barry hope that other Premiership footballers may follow suit.
Speaking about the involved of footballers Wood said: "We have only been established for a few months but we are already attracting a lot of interest from players in the Premier League and beyond. We would love to get more players involved too.”
Earlier in the year it was reported that Barry was involved in a dispute with Costa del Sol holiday home developers, Ocean View Properties, over the use of his name in their advertising.
