It’s not the first time a celebrity has turned into a fashion designer and it certainly won’t be the last, but unlike many of the singer-come-dabblers-in-fashion-design who enjoy minimal success in the cutthroat industry, rapper Kayne West is causing quite a stir in the world of high-end fashion design, with the likes of Louis Vuitton requesting his creations.

The American rapper, singer and record producer now even has his own studio in Paris where he designs high-end fashion collections  for both men and women. Rumours are even circulating that West has enrolled at London’s notorious school of fashion, Central Saint Martins.

Speculation is also surfacing to whether the rapper with exhibit his spring 2012 collection this September, although a venue and specific date has yet to be announced.

In designing his landmark ‘rapper’ gear, similar to the outfit Kayne West wore to this year’s ‘106 & Park’ in June and at the CFDA Fashion Awards, which included a Mitchell & Ness Chicago Bulls snapback hat, a pair of black/red Air Jordan 1s, a Salt and Pepper Zip Hoody from American Apparel and black waxed jeans, Kayne is bringing ‘Hip Hop’ and ‘Rapper’ fashion to a high-end market.

Although Kayne West is not the only rapper to be stretching his creative instincts into the world of fashion. Nathan Thompson, aka Hollowman Giggs, who, in 2010, was signalled as the hottest rapper in the UK, has launched his own clothing store in Peckham, London, known as SN1.

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Ralf Lauren may be world renowned for designing high quality and exquisite clothes, but the designer is less well known as a sports and classic car collector.

On the contrary, some of the rarest and most expensive cars in the world are owned by the American fashion designer and to mark his passion for such collecting and restoring rare and valuable motors, Ralph Lauren’s private collection is on show in Paris.

From exceptional Mercedes, including the world’s only 1930 Mercedes SSK, to outstanding Jaguars such as the 1955 Jaguar D-type, the 17-car exhibition, known as “The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces of the Ralph Lauren Collection”, which opened on 28 April 2011, promised to – like his fashion creations – ‘knock the socks’ off onlookers.

“Cars to me are works of art” and “You can’t drive a painting”, were the fashion designer’s words at the opening of the exhibition at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.

The show is playfully accompanied by the soundtrack of the roaring sound of car engines – obviously music to the ears of Ralph Lauren and many of the exhibitions visitors.

Guests can enjoy feasting their eyes on the world’s most valuable cars, including a Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Alfa Romeo and Bugatti, all which have been lovingly restored to their original condition by the American designer.

Describing what ignited his passion for car, Ralph Lauren said:

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Ahead of Chanel’s resort show in the South of France last month, Lagerfeld unveiled his latest offering as a director…

Chanel’s Creative Director, Karl Lagerfeld has released a short 30-minute film to showcase his 2011/12 Cruise Collection, which was shown at the Hotel du Cap in Antibes at the beginning of May.

Lagerfeld states that the movie shows the kind of world that the collection is made for, revealing his imagination and influences behind the collection. He also describes the film as a “movie about an ill-advised use of money which begins with violence and ends with feeling.”

The Tale of a Fairy features French actress Anna Mouglalis, American Model Kristen McMenamy, Chanel muse Amanda Harlech, and models Freja Beha Erichsen, Bianca Balti and Baptiste Giabiconi.

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Just when we all thought it was Victoria Beckham who was the fashion designing maestro of the ‘brand Beckham duo’, her superstar husband has stepped into the design limelight, by announcing he is to design a children’s clothing range with his A-list celebrity pal, Snoop Dog.

From hairstyles to tattoos, sarongs to shirts, out of the two, it is arguably David who has always paid homage to a devout string of followers and has exuded a touch more style and class than his ‘fashion diva’ wife.

Although Posh need not panic that there will be a rival designer hot at her heels, as David is steering well clear of designing the sexy and stunning dresses Victoria has become renowned for, as her husband is interested in designing clothing for babies and children, presumably inspired by the couple’s shopping for clothes for their growing brood and baby who is due to be born sometime in the summer.

According to several reports, the 39-year-old rapper Snoop Dog has already began sketching out ideas for the range.

According to the British tabloid the Daily Mirror, Snoop said,

“I’d love to do a babygro range and baby house shoes with Beckham.”

Now it looks like there is to be more than one world renowned fashion designer in the Beckham household, or should David stick to what he’s best at – free kicks?

As part of an installation at Milan Design Week, Nicola Bolla has transformed morbid objects into art forms.

The Italian sculptor has used Swarovski Crystals to create works of art, including an AK47 assault rifle, and remains of the human body.

These art pieces were showcased at an installation of Nicola Bolla called Ossuary, which was composed of her sculptures. Historically, an Ossuary is a place where remains of people that died in violent circumstances, such as battles, were finally laid to rest.

Bolla is extremely interested in the subject of transience of life and all earthy things, which she has translated into a more modern meaning – the superficial vanity of our time. She uses a nearly invisible structure and covers this with Swarovski crystals, symbolising the aspiration to preserve beauty and richness against the passing of time.

The sculptures include the assault rifle, along with skulls and human bones.

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