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Costa Toscana to Host Fashion Show Before Inaugural Cruise

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Sustainable fashion producer Jessica Minh Anh is set to transform the new LNG-powered cruise ship, the Costa Toscana, into a sky-high ocean catwalk on Feb. 28, 2022.

According to a press release, the, J Spring Fashion Show 2022 will be held against the cinematic backdrop of the Italian Riviera to deliver a message of “sustainability and style.” The event will welcome some global media and famous people on board the Costa Toscana, before its inaugural cruise in Portofino, Italy.

Participating brands, which will be unveiled in mid-February 2022, will premiere a combination of haute couture and ready-to-wear collections from five continents. Minh Anh’s previous catwalks included Paul Costelloe, Montblanc, Yumi Katsura, Ziad Nakad, Shiatzy Chen, and Tony Ward.

The red-carpet experience will feature Italian art, architecture, culture, luxury and delicacies alongside the impressive catwalk.

“This particular moment in history provides an opportunity for a sustainable ‘restart’ of our society. The Costa Toscana aligns perfectly with my mission of highlighting sustainability in a visually attractive way. It runs on liquefied natural gas, one of the most advanced technologies to reduce emissions right now. It represents a breakthrough in the travel industry. I am honoured to celebrate the resurgence of business and style on such a unique ship,” Minh Anh said.

According to the press release, J Spring Fashion Show 2022 is Minh Anh’s “comeback catwalk” after the success of “Runway on the Runway” at JFK international airport held before the pandemic. The show will combine three of Minh Anh’s catwalk series, namely Fashion x Sustainability, Catwalk-On-Water, and Sky-High. Previous editions took place atop the Eiffel Tower, London’s Tower Bridge, Grand Canyon Skywalk, Hoover Dam, Gemasolar Power Plant, and cruise ships in Dubai, New York, Sydney, and Hong Kong.

“Jessica Minh Anh is a pioneer in marrying fashion with sustainability, just like Costa Cruises in offering the most advanced sustainable ships”, said Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises. “Costa has been the first in the world to operate LNG-powered ships and focuses on value-driven, sustainable and inclusive tourism. As the travel industry is gradually recovering, it is very exciting for us to welcome Jessica on board, and have her launch such an important message in a creative way on our new flagship, the Costa Toscana. We are also proud that this collaboration will happen in Italy and specifically the Ligurian Riviera!”

A site visit took place last weekend on the Costa Toscana in Civitavecchia, where Minh Anh met with the president of Costa Cruises to discuss the floor plan, schedule, setup and treatments for the media and guests.

The official campaign video captured Minh Anh running atop the sky-high catwalk in a bright pink dress against the backdrop of the ship, deep blue sea and skyline.

Celebrate Independence Day Abroad

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Celebrate Independence Day Abroad

June 28, 2013Expats and tourists around the world are uniting to celebrate our nation’s birthday this Independence DayBy: Veronika Perkowski

Americans abroad can still celebrate Independence Day if they know where to look. // © Shutterstock

Americans abroad can still celebrate Independence Day if they know where to look.

No matter where you find yourself on the Fourth of July this year, chances are there is a nearby Independence Day celebration to attend. Whether you are an international resident, out of the country on business or simply taking a vacation, the opportunity to feel right at home is there.

American clubs, expat meet-up groups, U.S. embassies and political organizations are just a few of the groups that organize Independence Day festivities around the world. Check out what’s going on in the following international cities as America’s biggest party goes global.

London
What better place to celebrate Independence Day than in the very country from which our founders came? Take a stroll or a bus tour through the city, and you will see monuments of America’s greatest heroes at almost every turn — Abraham Lincoln stands over Parliament Square, Martin Luther King Jr. can be found in Westminster Abbey and George Washington poses with his cane in Trafalgar Square. You can even pay a visit to the only remaining home of American founding father Benjamin Franklin where cake and champagne will be served on July 4 in honor of Independence Day.

London’s Ealing Beer Festival, which takes place at Walpole Park from July 3 to 6, is also getting into the red, white and blue spirit by dedicating July 4 to a special selection of American imported beers. If a beer festival isn’t your idea of family fun, have a picnic in London’s beautiful Battersea Park, where the American expat community has been known to put on Independence Day fireworks displays in the past.

Benjamin Franklin House event

Rome

When in Rome, join the American International Club of Rome for its annual Independence Day celebration. The party takes place on Saturday, July 6 near Piazza dei Giuochi Delfici. Visitors can enjoy a barbecue picnic, live music by both Revolution Jazz Band and DJ Franco as well as a chance to win raffle prizes ranging from a portrait painted by Dutch artist Els Vink to a treatment at Victoria Regeneration Spa. Not only will there be face-painting, craft tables, slip-n-slides and lawn games for the kids, but the U.S. Marine Color Guard will present the Colors and the Star Spangled Banner.

American International Club of Rome

Shanghai

Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q is the place to be for Americans spending their Fourth of July in Shanghai this year. The American restaurant, which originated in Lubbock, Texas, is hosting an authentic Southern-style celebration complete with line dancing, live music and more. In addition to food promotions on all barbecue plates and sliders, happy hour is celebrated for the whole day on July 4. Live music starts at 5 p.m. and the party doesn’t end until 1:30 a.m.

Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q event


Singapore

If you are looking to celebrate Independence Day a little early in Singapore this year, you’re in luck. The American Association of Singapore’s annual festivities wlll place on Saturday, June 29 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Singapore American School. Not only is the event completely free but it includes music, food, drinks, games, formal ceremonies and a fireworks show.

For those staying in Singapore on the weekend of July 4, The American Club is hosting its biggest yet, four-day celebration that will run from Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7.  On Independence Day, there will be a poolside Texas-style barbecue, live music and DJs, cake-cutting, lucky draw giveaways and face-painting. Events in the following days include the Atomic Wing Challenge, a free dessert and coffee tasting, free wine tasting, Mitolo wine dinner and finally a relaunch of the club’s Sizzling Sunday BBQ.