Vamp Maillot : Elegant silhouette with front shirring. Detachable strap and soft bra cups. A flattering lower leg gives it a retro look.

Ruffled Vamp: Detachable adjustable neck strap. Feminine ruffling at bust. Underwire with foam cups, removable push up pads. Princess seams, with shirred front.

“It was an itzy bitzy, teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini that she wore for the first time…..” This year it will be Jantzen’s bikinis that she will wear for the first time. Their new 1950s inspired suits will make every woman feel like that timeless Hollywood starlet in that yellow polka dot bikini. The colours, cuts and styles evoke 1950s beauty and the heritage behind Jantzen’s.

It’s a mixture of vintage and modernity, creating the Perfect swimsuit. All styles and cuts flatter any size and shape. This spring’s collection is tame on colour, however the colours chosen show what spring is about. They have chosen to create three different stories with three different colour palates, tropical resort, ultra sophistication with black and whites and a bright summer delivery which consists of inspiring and flattering prints in bold bright colours.

Apart from a choice of summery colours, the contours and silhouettes complete the perfect 1950s inspired suits. Representing vintage and mod swimwear Jantzen’s collection includes; ruffled tankinis, retro malliots and bikini sets with high-waisted belted bottoms (very 50’s indeed) . To cater to the fuller figure women, Jantzen has also designed chic and sexy cover ups to coordinate with the collection of swimsuits.

Reviving the sexy styles of the yellow polka dot bikini, Jantzen’s creates a collection illustrating the true meaning of their heritage and the fact that what is old can be new again.

BLK1 Article: EMILIE BANKOVIC BLK1 Images: Jantzen Swimwear

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As one of the most publicised beauty contests in the world, attracting millions of viewers from all across the globe, the Miss Universe pageant will no doubt, be one of the highest anticipated events this year.

Taking place on the shores of Nassau, the Bahamas on a little island so-fittingly called ‘Paradise,’ the prestigious pageants’ 58th year looks as though it will live up to its reputation as the most popular pageant in the world.

First founded in 1952 by Californian clothing company, Pacific Mills, the Miss Universe pageant went on to later become one of Donald Trump’s many acquisitions in 1996, and has since developed into a worldwide phenomenon.

It is this phenomenon which Mr Trump and his organisers remain steadfast in promoting as ‘not just a beauty contest,’ but a culture-rich event which strives to include intelligent, well-mannered and confident women from all across the globe.

Each of these women vying for the coveted title will be judged in three categories: swimwear, evening gown and a one-on-one interview with the judges. If successful, the winner will find themselves catapulted into a life devoted to overseas charity campaigns, intent on creating public awareness regarding the control and prevention of specific diseases, in particular, AIDS, and seeking to improve the lives of others through the promotion and general well-being of others.

Of course, the winner also gets to call the Trump Tower, New York, home, during her year-long reign and is exposed to a world filled with countless opportunities and career prospects.

Since touching down on the Caribbean nation’s picturesque shores of Paradise Island, each of the 84 contestants will spend their time leading up to the final date, visiting the island’s abundance of beautiful locations, and making various glamorous appearances before the first official round of judging commences on August 16th, in which 15 finalists will be selected for the lavish August 23 event.

With Venezuela, the United States and Puerto Rico possessing the highest number of wins in the pageants history, it will be expected that Stefanania Fernandes (Venezuela), Kristen Dalton (USA) and Mayra Matos (Puerto Rico), will all reach the finals and be strong contenders for the coveted Diamond Nexus Labs Crown.

Local Townsville beauty, Rachael Finch, who recently came close to being devoured by a five metre crocodile, whilst doing promotion work at Crocodylus Park in Darwin late last month, is also a pageant favourite for following in the footsteps of 2004 Aussie winner, Jennifer Hawkins.

Sadly, there are a handful of past participating countries, which will not be competing this year, including Antigua and Barbuda, Chile, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Northern Marianas and Trinidad and Tobago, due to various issues such as lack of funding, sponsorship and general lack of national interest.

As is true of every beauty pageant, further fuelling the budding excitement and anticipation in the lead up to the event, a string of controversial events, which have sparked considerable media attention, have occurred. Apart from Japanese entrant, Emiri Miyasaka being opening criticised for her daringly revealing leather-clad national costume, in which her hot pink underwear was clearly visible, insulting many people from her home country, a row has also broken out between Bolivia and Peru regarding the name of Miss Peru’s national costume, “la Diablada,” which the Bolivians are claiming is a stolen manifestation of folklore which belongs to them.

Alas, all publicity is good publicity, and as the beautiful Paradise Island finds itself inhabited by another 84 rare beauties, the hype continues to mount as to who will take over the reign of Venezuelan winner, Dayana Mendoza and who, with flowers in hand, and diamond tiara on head, will find her world inextricably filled with bright, new possibilities and the lasting memory of a night she will never forget.

BLK1 IS EXCITED TO BRING YOU FULL COVERAGE OF THE 2009 MISS UNIVERSE PAGEANT

BLK1 Article: JESSICA LENI

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This week in Australian Waterpolo saw Australia bow out in the quarter final stages of the FINA junior women’s championship but the young-guns of the team lead from the front.

Australia qualified for the quarter-finals after a seven goal haul from Balmain Tigers player, Kayle Leathem, leading to a 28-4 victory over Kazakhstan, however the USA took the crown from the reigning champions winning 9-4.

Australian head coach Peter Szilagyi was unhappy with the poor start and said “The mentally, better-prepared American team deserved to win.”

Leathem wasn’t the only youngster to when earlier in the week, 16 year-old Ash Southern, dominated Australia’s opening game scoring four goals for an 11-9 win over Spain.
Australia will now face off against Canada for fifth spot.

BLK1 Article: ELIZABETH MCPHERSON BLK1 Photographer:ANTHONY PEARSE

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There was plenty of drama in the world of swimming this week, resulting in a number of bans being imposed on various people and swim wear. First and foremost, Canadian swimming coach Cecil Russell has had his application for reinstatement rejected for a second time. Russell received a life time ban in 1997 for a doping infraction and initially was accepted. However under closer scrutiny by the CCES, it was found that Russell was convicted of conspiracy to possess ecstasy with intent to distribute and was sentenced to 4 years in prison in Arizona in March 2004, and as a result had the decision overturned. To the shock of many in the swimming world, some parents are still allowing Russell to coach their children.

The debate surrounding the new high tech performance enhancing swimsuits has finally been settled, well at the high school level anyway. The National Federation of State High Schools Association has officially banned the use of these super suits, effective immediately. They have also imposed tough restrictions on what swimmers can wear during competitions. Swimmers are now limited to one suit which must be permeable to both air and water and may not contain any zips or fasteners. For the boys they must not go above the waist or below the knee and for the girls it cannot go beyond the shoulders or below the knees, necks must remain bare. “The committee knew that in order to preserve the integrity, tradition and heritage of the sport, as well as protect and enhance the interscholastic swimming program, these new requirements were necessary to promote fair play and the educational values of high school and could not wait another year,” Becky Oakes, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the swimming and Diving rules committee, said in a statement.

On a far more personal note, Speedos or the beloved ‘budgie smugglers’, an Australian icon since their introduction in 1914, has recently been banned at popular European water park Alton Towers. In a statement from management, the reason behind this ban was to help avoid embarrassment among patrons and to promote a more family friendly environment with more aesthetically pleasing and less revealing swim wear on display.

On the topic of teensy weensy swim wear, ex bay watch star Pam Anderson will be in New Zealand strutting her stuff on the catwalk to promote her new line of enviro / animal friendly swimwear during New Zealand fashion week. But the question on everyone’s lips (including her publicist) is…. will the suits be too skimpy for the casually renowned kiwis?

But it’s not all bad news this week, at the Hobart veterans swim titles some fantastic and nail biting new commonwealth records were set. New South Welshman Adam Pine carried his good form into the final of the 100m butterfly, producing a powerful finish to win in a new Commonwealth record time of 49.71 seconds and taking nearly half a second
off his own record set last year. Earlier, 30-year-old Ashley Callus set an Australian record to finish the fastest qualifier in the 50m freestyle semis, clocking in at 21.06 seconds. Queenslander Emily Seebohm won the 100m backstroke with a time of 57.47 seconds, setting a new commonwealth record, and then moments later went on to set the fastest personal time in the 100m medley and was the only swimmer to break the minute mark. Victorian Sarah Katsoulis set a new commonwealth record of 29.61 seconds in the 50m breast stroke, beating club mate Leisel Jones. Thomas Fraser-Holmes put in a mammoth effort in the 400m individual medley, prevailing over fellow competitor Leith Brodie by 3 seconds. And finally Libbie Trickett qualified fastest for the final of the 100m freestyle.

BLK1 Article: ALEX SHLEIBS

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Australia has named a well balanced team of celebrated stars and rising talent to contest the inaugural ITU World Championship Series Grand Final on home soil. This year, for the first time, the world championship is being decided over a series of races rather than a one-off event, with the Gold Coast to host the historic finale on September 12 and 13.

The home team is headed by Emma Snowsill and Emma Moffatt, although the pair will approach the race from vastly different angles.

Snowsill, the three-time world champion and reigning Olympic gold medallist, is recovering from last week’s keyhole surgery to her troublesome hip. She is confident of being fully fit for the showdown in front of her home crowd, but is unlikely to challenge for the overall title, having already missed two races due to injury and expected to miss the remaining two in London and Yokohama.

Moffatt, on the other hand, has been in scintillating form all year. The Beijing bronze medallist holds a commanding lead in the series following consecutive wins in Washington DC, Kitzbuhel and Hamburg. A solid display at home could well secure the 24-year-old her first world crown.

Former ITU world number one, Annabel Luxford, having returned to major competition with mixed results following a 12-month lay-off with injury, will also compete, along with Beijing Olympian, Erin Densham, so long as she can prove her fitness following a frustrating season due to injury and illness.

The men’s team boasts veterans Brad Kahlefeldt and Courtney Atkinson, who both continue to prove ultra-competitive, currently sitting fourth and ninth on the world rankings.

Atkinson won silver in Madrid in round two of the series, but missed the latest race in Hamburg due to a stomach complaint. Kahlefeldt has returned impressively from hip surgery at the start of the year, snaring silver medals in the opening race of the series in Tongyeong, and again in his last start in Hamburg.

Triathlon High Performance Director Michael Flynn said they had been able to select a formidable squad.

“This team has a great mix of hard-nosed experience and sheer exuberance,” he said.

“For those who have been around a while – such as Emma Snowsill, Brad and Courtney – to race in front of a home crowd in the first-ever World Championship Grand Final is both a great reward and a tremendous opportunity. Obviously, it’s a chance for Emma Moffatt to cap off a memorable year and, hopefully, really give the crowd something to cheer about.

“And don’t discount our other squad members, because we’ve only chosen those who have demonstrated they belong in top company. I’m sure they will feel bullet-proof racing in their national colours in front of a big Australian crowd, so this is a great opportunity for them to draw on that emotion and achieve something special.”

ITU eligibility rules allowed Triathlon Australia to nominate up to eight men and eight women, with all team members chosen at the absolute discretion of selectors.

Four athletes – Brendon Sexton, Sarah Crowley, Erin Densham and Felicity Sheedy-Ryan – have been selected subject to eligibility. These athletes are, or have been, injured. Selectors will assess their progress in the coming weeks of international racing before making a final decision on their selection.

Stay Tuned to BLK1 for full coverage of the ITU 2009 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Grand Final on the Gold Coast, September 12-13

AUSTRALIAN ELITE TEAM

Men: Courtney Atkinson (Qld), Brad Kahlefeldt (NSW), Gareth Halverson (Vic), James Seear (Qld), Dan Wilson (Qld), Brendon Sexton* (Vic).

Women: Annabel Luxford (Qld), Emma Moffatt (Qld), Emma Snowsill (Qld), Sarah Crowley* (Qld), Erin Densham* (Vic), Felicity Sheedy-Ryan* (WA).

* selected subject to eligibility upon proving their fitness

BLK1 Photographer: DELLY CARR

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In a full length Jason Brunsdon dress composed of salmon pink, Stephanie Rice- Australian swimming legend- took a seat today in the front row of the opening event at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival. Brunsdon was not only the designer who adorned Rice’s athletic bodice; he is also the first designer on show at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival. The presence of Stephanie Rice at this event proved that Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival, although more accessible to the public, is the premium place to observe the new season trends in swimwear. Alongside Jason Brunsdon, all the other designers who were on parade at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week will once again show off their collections. More excitingly, Seafolly, White Sands, Flamingo Sands, Jets by Jessika Allen and Lenny will be displaying their newest swimwear creations.

Keep watching BLK1 for full reports of the swimwear seen at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival

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The beautiful weather outside the large marquee set a perfect scene for Seafolly to parade the catwalks at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival.
Being only the second show, the seats and the aisles around the catwalk were crammed with spectators keen to see the new trends in Summer swimwear.

Seafolly has always been a brand that is immensely popular with consumers and famed for it’s simple cuts and straight colours. It was no surprise to see that the very first foot to step on to the catwalk was Elyse Taylor, wearing a white bikini. Crisp, white swimwear of this type is a classic look which has come to be owned by the Seafolly label.

Autumn and Winter saw everything from boots to bags adorned with fringing, this was also attached to this season’s Seafolly look.

After beginning with the classics, Seafolly marched all the cliques down the catwalk: floral prints, polka-dots, palm leaves and fluorescent frills. While these looks had all be seen before in one form or another, a jolt of excitement raged when a vintage-inspired boy-leg one-piece was seen.

Until this point, it seemed like Seafolly was staying true to swimwear conventions and catering to the wants of shopping-centre consumers.

Now that all the expected designs and same Summer patterns had been shown, the Seafolly collection let loose with its prints: tessellated fluoro pinks and oranges were splashed across the catwalk. This exciting use of colour was labelled in the look-book as “Cyber”. The appropriateness of this name was observed when the mono-kini took the stage, the way the fabric was spread over the model with the pattern flowing down the body made this design look like something from the future.

While the Cyber series was a new direction for the typically white styled Seafolly to take, it held tight to the Seafolly rule that swimwear should be made to flatter the figure.

This rule was also seen in the introduction of swim-skirts to this year’s collection. The adorable ruffles circulating boyleg shorts brought back a high level of modesty to the bikini.

Resort-wear also featured in the Seafolly collection and continued to bring a sense of modesty to swimwear with a black maxi-dress and several light-weight kaftan designs.

As the models made their way along the catwalk to an applauding crowd it was obvious that Seafolly had set a high standard of swimwear at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival. The Seafolly designers managed to showcase new ideas in swimwear and all the while stay close to the label’s tradition of inspiring confident and classy swimsuit wearers.

BLK1 Article: ELLEN CROSLEY BLK1 Photographer: PETER SOLLNER

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The classic ‘Little Black Dress’ was on display in all its splendor at the Diet Coke Fashion Show today, the third day of Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival.

With creative collaborations from ten designers such as Alex Perry, Sass and Bide, Alpha 60, Kirrily Johnston, Marnie Skillings and Alice McCall all came together to create a series of thirty little black dresses initially inspired by the silhouette of the iconic Diet Coke bottle.

The show opened with the classic look of the black dress and then incorporating a more sexy interpretation of the modern LBD of today with feminine detailing that included low-cut evening gowns with gold embellishments, vintage-inspired cuts and detail, feathers and re-working edgy prints.

Spectators were presented with how the classic LBD can be brought to life in a myriad of ways. The standout dress collection includes Sass and Bide’s mini dress with cross-strapped detailing, Alice McCall’s sexy spider-web-like boob tube mini dress and a retro re-creation of the black tutu worn with shiny leggings and glamorous frocks and accessories from Romance Was Born.

Bright and bold coloured clutches will be the new trend this upcoming season as seen with Alpha 60 collections and vintage pearls and jewellery will update any outfit for a night out. The designers managed to showcase new ideas into working a little black dress with the injection of dazzling coloured leggings and sparkling headwear for an interesting appeal while staying close to each label’s traditional style.

Australian Fashion designer, Alex Perry says the collection the collections of each designer’s signature style reflects the feminine form of every women.
“It’s sexy and curvy just like the Diet Coke bottle”, says Mr Perry.

The show ended with all the models making a final walk on the catwalk to the Britney Spears song ‘Circus’, an appropriate song for the unique collections that embraces the creativity, fun and a passion for fashion shown at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival.

BLK1 Article: THANH LOAN NGUYEN

Article: © BLK1 2009. All Rights Reserved.

The pavilion at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival was standing room only. The crowd had been kept waiting a little under half an hour, and were welcomed by a cheeky television personality grabbing voice pops from the designers seated in the front row. Usually when the lights go out at a catwalk show, the tone in the room is very serious. This was not the case at the Summer Holiday session. Jokes about mankinis and male-kaftans were made and the crowd that had been kept waiting in the claustrophobic pavilion had been brought back down to earth.

Jets By Jessika Allen was the debut parade for the Summer holiday series. It was a surprise to see a shift away from the usual strong cuts and nautical looks of this swimwear label. Usually, Jets By Jessika Allen is famous for the classic nostalgia it brings back to swimwear- but this time on the catwalk, the Modern Muse Collection all but did away with this tradition. The cuts were a lot softer this season, many of the costumes featured frills and (very puzzlingly) some of the models were seen to carry clutches that were traditional to evening wear. After a few minutes of seeing what could be purchased at David Jones the room slid into silent darkness. Clever light-sound technology stimulated the feeling of a aeroplane landing just outside the hangar. This signalled the new arrival of the Jets Menswear collection, which had never been seen on runways before. The Jets Menswear collection was a bipolar opposite to Borat’s Mankini. The Jets Menswear is a collective of boy leg trunks and patterns which complimented this seasons women’s wear. In the end, the Jets range was all about the women. The clutches suddenly made sense when the kaftans were unveiled. The Kaftans of Jets by Jessika Allen could be easily mistaken as glamorous cocktail-wear, reminding the audience that while the label has grown to take monopoly of the hi-fashion swimwear market in Australia it is still focussed on feminine summertime splendour.

Flamingo Sands followed Jets. While Jets can be worn by all ages, Flamingo Sands is definitely a young label because of it’s bright and busy prints. The thin string bikini’s brought about memories of hot, humid days spent on the beach in Surfer’s Paradise.

As always, Camilla was the Kaftan Queen. Models were marched down the catwalk in flowing fabrics, posing just at the end in a flutter of colourful fabric, the likes of which drew a direct parallel to a butterfly. Prints on the fabrics were blended between palm leaves, tropical flowers and animal prints- with every kaftan showing a mixture of all these Summer conventions.

Kooey is a very Australian name for a swimwear label and the didgeridoo instrumental that started the display made it clear that they are damn proud of it. The Australian pride was carried strongly in the colours of the one-piece costumes which reflected the desert climate. A closer look on their website showed that they also stock the all-aussie rashie and female boardies. However, what was seen tonight on the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival was definitely glamorous and with the frills and hugging cuts, showed an influence taken from the Jets design.

For all of the five minutes White Sands were on the catwalk, the label showed that they were
able to re-invent themselves and the typical expectancies of swimwear to create a delightful collection for Summer 2009. The highlight of the White Sands show was the Southern Summer bikini print which displayed an embossed palm leaf against a solid-cut bikini and one-piece design. When palm leafs are thought of in the world of swimwear, they resemble a tacky plastic image that people try to look away from. White Sands managed to recreate this symbol to be something of intrigue and style.

Lenny was the last swimwear designer to showcase their wears on the Summer Holiday runway. It could be said that they were the most original. Instead of drawing inspiration from Goddess-like forms and divine Summer settings, the Lenny designers decided to focus on the Serpent and the colours of the earth and the water. Soft browns and cool blues showed the meeting of the water and the earth, while the scattered scales of the prints kept the serpent motif slithering strongly.

The Summer Holiday Display finished in a confusing manner. Models plodded to the end of the catwalk, to brief applause and then a Rosemount advertisement began to flood the aural atmosphere- but it was cut- the houselights then turned on and the crowed tent was left unsure whether to stand and leave the pavilion or whether each designer would send models out to gain a round of applause. Perhaps there was some kind of technical difficulty with the audio-visual order of things or perhaps the one-time showcases of each designer was all that was needed to leave the spectators in awe.

BLK1 Article: ELLEN CROSLEY BLK1 Photographer: www.petersollner.com

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[The looks that were delivered by Alex Perry at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival were like something from a fairy tale.

Alex Perry is an Australian designer known for his opulent ball gowns and innovative takes on black-tie women’s wear.

At Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival, Alex Perry stuck to what he is famed for and paraded Cindarella-style ball gowns down the catwalk. There was of course a few numbers of silvery-white, just like the traditional Cinderella story. But black also featured heavily on the Alex Perry catwalk, possibly for it’s timeless beauty as a convention for evening-wear or possibly because it is the most popular colour in the universe for consumers seeking a slinky investment piece.

Metallics and bright reds also weaved their way in to the collection. But no-matter the colour, all the pieces were cut with an emphasis on dramatic shape, with large shoulder panels or puffed skirts.

All of the pieces in Alex Perry’s collection did not fail to impress and while Perry is known for producing couture for a one-time-wear, the feeling that was given from the catwalk was that all these pieces are meant to be brought as investments and due to their timelessness can be kept in closets for decades, only to be brought out at the most special occasions.

 BLK1 Photographer: ARIE WAHYU SIHOMBING

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The swimwear is always a highlight of the Miss Universe Pageant. This year, at Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, fifteen of the world’s most beautiful women were adorned with white bikinis from BSC Swimwear. The event was just a small part of the show, which took place on 23rd of August and ended with the crowning of a new Miss Universe for 2009.

Read BLK1 To Find Out Who Was Crowned Miss Universe 2009.

Photographer: DARREN DECKER

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Venezuelan Stefania Fernandez was crowned the new Miss Universe here late Sunday after she was selected from among young women from 83 countries.

The official decision was made at the Atlantis Resort by a 12-person judging panel that included Andre Leon Talley, the editor-at-large for American Vogue, actor Dean Cain and supermodel Valeria Mazza.

It was Venezuela’s sixth Miss Universe crown in the 59-year history of the pageant.

The main event Sunday was hosted by Celebrity Apprentice star Claudia Jordan and Access Hollywood co-anchor Billy Bush, and included performances by rapper Flo Rida, singers David Guetta and Kelly Rowland and reality star Heidi Montag.

Fernandez, 18, inherited the Miss Universe crown from another Venezuelan, Dayana Mendoza, who won the competition in 2008. During her reign, Mendoza traveled the globe as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research and legislation.

The newly crowned Miss Universe is expected to do the same.

“We Venezuelans never tire. We made history today,” Mendoza said in a telephone interview with Venezuelan media after the event. “It was almost impossible, but Stefania did an excellent job.”

She admitted that at the moment of transferring the crown she whispered in the ear of Fernandez, “You made it, witch!” and gave her an affectionate pat on the backside.

Two other young women from Latin America made it into the top five: 23-year-old Ada de la Cruz of the Dominican Republic and Mayra Matos, 20, of Puerto Rico.

The top group also included young women from Australia and Kosovo.

Representatives of the Czech Republic, Switzerland, France, South Africa and the United States made it to the top 10.

As the new Miss Universe, Fernandez will receive a monetary prize, the size of which has been kept confidential.

The top award also includes a 100,000-dollar scholarship to study acting at an academy in New York, a five-day vacation package in the Bahamas for two, a set of jewelry and a complete wardrobe.

But the main attraction for contestants is an opportunity to break into and establish themselves in the lucrative world of show business, organizers said.

“Women who seek the title of Miss Universe are driven by their desires to open for themselves new opportunities in the world of acting and entertainment,” Acirema Alayeto, president of Miss Latin America Organization, told AFP.

Each contestant was judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vied for the coveted title.

For the past two weeks, the women have been touring the various islands and participating in preliminary legs of the competition including the swimsuit presentation in Grand Bahama, a costume presentation, a fashion showcase featuring local designs and fabrics and a state auction dinner in New Providence.

The contestants have also toured other Bahamian islands, including Grand Bahama, Bimini, Exuma, Eleuthera and Abaco, visiting landmarks and posing for photographs.

As Hurricane Bill neared last week, several contestants expressed worries about their safety and the prospects for the competition, but the storm’s path passed far away from the islands.

The pageant, broadcast by the NBC network, was viewed by an estimated worldwide audience of approximately one billion people.

Article: AFP  Photographer: DARREN DECKER

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Image and Article: © AFP 2008 /2009/ 2010