RHODE ISLAND, USA (Commodity Online): The Associated Press story on cadmium in Miley Cyrus jewelry has created a scare about adverse health effects of jewelry in both children and adults. However, Fashion Jewelry and Accessories Trade Association (FJATA) has come out against the story stating that the agency has relied on private testing conducted by Prof Jeffrey Weidenhamer which they are not willing to share with FJATA.

The story also attributes the fact that the safety of jewelry should be based on the level of cadmium that escapes if the item is sucked, bitten or swallowed to an industry position.

In fact, migration (or what escapes) is the basis for accepted toy safety standards in the U.S. (ASTM F-963) and Europe (EN-71-3). Reliance on this kind of migration standard has helped establish the safety of toys around the world, and is now required in the U.S. for toys.

The AP story wrongly suggests that the featured products are children's products when they are clearly labeled for consumers 14 years and older and, according to the retailer, were available for sale in the store's ladies apparel section. In passing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), Congress determined that children's products should be defined as products designed and intended primarily for children 12 and under. In fact, a proposal to define children's products as those that might appeal to a child was rejected because such a definition was viewed to be overbroad, since almost any item that could be found around the house might fall in that category.

FJATA supports adoption of a federal standard for children's jewelry based on these international standards, it said in a press release.

Beverly Hills Polo Club in Punjab Beverly Hills Polo Club, the famous International fashion brand, recently announced its entry into the state of Punjab with the opening of its first exclusive store in Amritsar.

The opening ceremony commenced with a fashion show where popular models like Barkha Kaul and others showcased the extensive collection from the Beverly Hills Polo Club portfolio also known as BHPC.

SK Sayal, Director & CEO, Alpha G:Corp shared, We welcome the launch of the Beverly Hills Polo Club's first exclusive store in Amritsar. Through AlphaOne, we are creating a benchmark in retail. The world's best brands are now available under one roof in AlphaOne from over 170 stores. Collaborative efforts by way of promotions, value offers and incentives to shoppers and long term win-win relationships with retailers to provide value and entertainment to customers are the abiding success goals of AlphaOne.

Currently BHPC operates six standalone stores in Delhi/NCR region. The brand has bullish expansion plans for the Punjab region. On the future expansion of the brand in Punjab, Mr. Anurag Rajpal, stated, We are planning wide expansion across the Punjab region both in the form of company owned outlets and franchisees. After Amritsar, we will be launching more stores in Jalandhar, Chandigarh and Ludhiana in the coming months and in Bhatinda and Patiala by the end of this fiscal. Eventually we will set up a footprint in all the 20 districts of Punjab and have multiple outlets in all the prominent towns of Punjab.

Fashion design from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Alice in Wonderland arrives at FIDM's Museum & Galleries for a one-of-a-kind exhibition featuring Colleen Atwood's creative costumes as well as sketches, accessories, and Alice-related collaborations from designers such as Sue Wong and Tom Binn.

The Red Queen Dress by Colleen Atwood On view will be a number of Alice looks worn by Mia Wasikowska in Tim Burton's film, along with Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter fighter costume, and the Red Queen's show-stopping gown, which Helena Bonham Carter wore on the big screen.

The free exhibition is on display at the FIDM Museum & Galleries from May 27, 2010 through September 30, 2010.

Students at the fashion design school were also asked to design Alice-inspired pieces, under the supervision of FIDM fashion mentor and instructor Nick Verreos, and they will also be on display.

Banana Republic teams up with Chan Luu Banana Republic has teamed up with renowned jewelry designer and FIDM Alumna Chan Luu, to create a collection of limited-edition bracelets, which launched exclusively on May 20, 2010 at Banana Republic's San Francisco accessories-only test concept store, Edition by Banana Republic. This is the first time Banana Republic has worked with a jewelry designer to create a special collection.

The collection showcases Chan Luu's signature wrap style, which brings together custom-dyed thread or leather with unique semi-precious stones, gold or sterling silver. The 17-piece collection consists of four different styles in a range of colors. The bracelets will cost from $95 to $225.

The collection will be sold exclusively at Edition and will debut at an event honoring the store's one-year anniversary. It will then be rolled out to select stores in the U.S., Canada and Japan and online in the U.S. only beginning August 10, 2010.

It is such a pleasure for me to collaborate with Banana Republic, a classic brand whose timeless collections provide the perfect canvas for my own, says Luu, who studied Fashion Design at FIDM. What makes our partnership even more extraordinary is our shared belief in celebrating the power of personal expression.

Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga and Kate Hudson have all worn Chan Luu's designs. Using hand-cut semi-precious stones, beads and colored fresh water pearls, Chan's trademark is her artistic skill in combining unusual forms with beautiful colors to create truly striking pieces that inspire trends in fashion jewelry.

Michelle Obama wears Sutra Jewels First Lady Michelle Obama chose to wear a pair of Sutra Jewels' blue sapphire and diamond earrings to the second official State Dinner held at the White House on May 19, 2010. This is the second time Obama has worn pieces from Sutra Jewels to an official event. SUTRA JEWELS is clearly becoming a favorite of the Fine jewelry by SUTRA JEWELS is a fresh take on classic designs, inspired by the luxurious shapes of the Edwardian era, and infused with the contemporary, electric edge of the Art Deco period. SUTRA'S pieces are stunning and artistic, an instant favorite of the effortlessly chic modern woman.

Patricia Field launches new label America's Style Icon, Patricia Field, and long-time partner, Payless ShoeSource, unveiled today the next item under the Patricia Field for Payless designer label -- a four-leaf clover charm necklace inspired by Field's recent work as stylist and custom designer creating the fashion for the movie Sex and the City 2.

The necklace features a four-leaf clover charm encrusted with multiple pave-set sparkly jewels. The charm hangs from an 18-inch delicate textured cable chain with a lobster claw clasp and a two-inch extender, allowing the necklace to be worn long or short with a range of necklines to emphasize the unique, sparkly clover charm. The Patricia Field for Payless necklace is available now for $12.99, while supplies last, on Payless.com and due in all stores nationwide next week.

I love charms and believe in their value both spiritually and stylistically, said Patricia Field, who in addition to her styling and custom design work for movies and television, has been the stylist for Payless' TV and print ads, and store lifestyle signage for years.

This necklace is inspired by my work styling the upcoming Sex and the City 2 movie. The classic endurance of the lucky charm makes my four-leaf clover a meaningful and beautiful accessory for any woman, said Field. I believe in the fashion democracy and making amazing fashion available for all to enjoy. I also believe women should work to create their personal sense of style that tells their own fashion story. And accessories are key in doing that and Payless' seasonal collections offer a wide range of items for women to affordably complete a signature look, including my new necklace.

According to Payless, the four-leaf clover charm necklace is the first of additional charmed items to come from the Patricia Field-Payless collaboration.

We love working with Patricia. She is America's Style Icon and a tremendous design talent creating unique fashion stories covering everything from the big screen and TV to Payless stores, said LuAnn Via, CEO of Payless. We are thrilled to partner with her to democratize fashion, and we are excited to bring this unique charm necklace to Payless shoppers next week

About Patricia Field Patricia Field is a native New Yorker and one of fashion's greatest visionaries. She is an Academy Award® nominated, Emmy Award® winning film and television custom designer and a boutique owner with her own clothing label. Patricia received critical praise and raised the standards for the world of television glamour when she costumed HBO's Sex and the City television series -- dubbed the most fashionable show in television history. She is an original founder and leader in the Fashion Democracy movement and true pioneer who has brought forth a new style of dressing to American women. (With inputs from IndiaPRwire, PRNewswire and Businesswire)

Japan Canada Retail