LG ties up with Philips, Sharp for smart TV apps

South Korea's LG Electronics said Thursday it has tied up with Dutch giant Philips and Japan's Sharp to ramp up production of applications for Internet-powered televisions.

The three TV vendors will jointly create software development kits, which will be distributed to third-party developers to write TV applications, LG said in a statement.

It is the first such collaboration in the smart TV sector, LG said, adding the three would complete software development kits by the end of this year.

They will use different operating systems for their smart TVs, but the applications will become interchangeable once they adopt a common technology standard for building applications, LG said.

It said the tie-up would have a substantial impact on TV makers, app developers and users.

LG has seen flagging sales of mobile phones and televisions this year because it failed quickly to roll out smartphones to rival Apple's market-leading iPhone and Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S.

Fiat to Unveil '500 by Gucci' During NY Fashion Week

Hold onto your handbags. Fiat says it will unveil upscale Gucci-themed versions of the otherwise proletariat 500 coupe and 500c convertible on Fashion’s Night Out, September 8, to kick off New York Fashion Week.

Developed in collaboration with Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini and Fiat's Centro Stile, Fiat says the two models, one finished in pearl-glass black paint and another in pearl-glass white, are inspired by neo-classic black-and-white film.

“With Gucci as our design partner, we’ve amplified the Italian style of our Fiat 500 with unique exterior and interior looks that will make the car truly unique on the road,” says Laura Soave, head of Fiat brand in North America. “This special edition adds dimension to the Fiat 500 portfolio and will appeal to North American customers who appreciate Italian style just as much as modern technology, value and fuel efficiency.”

The black model features polished chrome details with a black and white interior that’s intended to project a contemporary and racy attitude, while the white version gets satin chrome detailing and an ivory-and-black interior that conveys a softer and more-sophisticated look. A signature Gucci green/red/green web stripe runs along the side of the coupe, or across the convertible’s cloth top. Chrome cursive “Gucci” signatures adorn the doorframes and hatchback, while the car rides on retro-inspired 15-inch aluminum wheels with interlocking "GG" hubcaps and signature Gucci green brake pads. Specific upholstery and trim accents continue the Gucci design theme throughout the cabin.

The Fiat 500 by Gucci editions will arrive at Fiat dealerships in December, along with assorted Gucci-branded travel accessories to ensure a truly chic driving experience. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Jean-Paul Gaultier to launch lingerie line

Jean-Paul Gaultier is launching a lingerie line. The French designer - famed for developing Madonna's Conical bra for her 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour - has developed a "provocative" lingerie collection Italian brand La Perla.

He told Wedding Style magazine the collaboration "was bound to happen", adding: "Lingerie is part of my DNA: I have always used it in my collections. With La Perla, I have found a perfect partner."

The designer added the collection will continue to enforce his strong view of female empowerment. He added: "I would like to give women freedom to be who they are. I personally think women are the stronger sex; that they are more intelligent and much stronger than us men, and I always wanted to show a strong woman who seduces because she wants to."

Jean-Paul also recently opened retrospective of his work at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada, where he admitted he made his first designs of his iconic bra for his stuffed toys. He said: "I made my first cone-shaped bra out of newsprint for my teddy bear Nana. I was always alone, doing my own story. It was my world, one in which I was very happy, dressing my teddy bear."

Jean-Paul's underwear collection will be sold at La Perla and Jean-Paul Gaultier boutiques across the world