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Kaifeng Jews Help Art Dealer Finish Four-Decade Trip to China
Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Gallery owner Norman Tolman's debut collection in Shanghai brings to mind one of those travel quizzes that tease with an unidentified photo and ask, ``Where are we?'' One painting shows a towering gate with a Chinese idiom declaring the city blessed by the nation and heaven. In the crowd below are men wearing Jewish yarmulkes atop their queues, the traditional imperial braided ponytails. Another depicts a synagogue at Rosh Hashanah, the congregation in long robes and white shawls, the rabbi reading from the Torah. Carved mahogany screens and a Chinese incense burner complete the scene. The exhibit of 21 paintings takes us to Kaifeng, along the Yellow River 375 miles southwest of Beijing, starting around the 11th century. Jewish merchants from Persia traveling the Silk Road passed through the city, capital of the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
(AFX UK Focus) 2007-09-07 18:33 GMT: Ports 1961's runway leads to Africa
NEW YORK (AP) - Ports 1961 took a journey to Africa on Friday morning, with top models Alek Wek and Liya Kebede landing on its runway at the Bryant Park tents as part of New York Fashion Week. Editors, stylists and retail buyers saw a broad spectrum of looks: some were relaxed and casual, such as a navy and cream Macheo tie-dye dress, while others were fine and refined, especially suits with pencil skirts and jackets adorned with woven gold belts. "You see a joyous mass of people," said designer Tia Cibani in an interview prior to the show. "Things are spontaneous, a little chaotic but joyous." Gold was consistent throughout the line as were touches of "tusk," decorative fabric presumably named for its ivory color. The gold silk charmeuse dress that Wek, a Sudanese native, wore for the finale was almost a kaftan but more elegant.
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