Tokyo Fashion Week has long been a platform for edgy Japanese designers -- but perhaps more remarkable is just how few Japanese models grace its catwalks.

Tall, white and often blonde young women dominate the runway, with a foreign look that is now commonplace in Japanese magazines, shows and advertisements.

Lawmakers in France will on Tuesday debate a law banning ultra-thin catwalk models, despite a chorus of disapproval from modelling agencies in the world's fashion capital.

Health Minister Marisol Touraine has given her backing to amendments to a broader health law that would stop model agencies employing models whose Body Mass Index (BMI) falls below a certain level.

Cult U.S. teen author Veronica Roth has come a long way in only a few years. And it seems her next step -- at least, in a literary sense -- will be into space.

The 26-year-old published her debut novel "Divergent" in 2011, launching a dystopian trilogy that has been turned into a blockbuster movie franchise -- the stuff of dreams for any young writer.

An Oscar in Hollywood, a Silver Bear in Berlin and a public that is returning to theaters in droves after more than a few dismal years: Polish cinema is back.

The revival comes in large measure thanks to a savvy system of film financing forged a decade ago to capitalize on the explosive growth of Poland's audiovisual market after communism's demise.  

Framed by the dramatic backdrop of Kabul's ruined Darulaman palace, Abbas Alizada throws kung fu punches, kicks and spins, watched by an eager young crowd.

Dressed in a white vest, black trousers and light shoes despite the bitter Afghan winter, Alizada bears a striking resemblance to his idol -- legendary martial arts movie star Bruce Lee.

He started out as a teenager spraying graffiti on walls in Paris -- but French street artist JR now communicates through giant photographic portraits plastered from Brazil to Hong Kong, a bid to reach what he feels is a disconnected world.

The 32-year-old who describes himself as a "photograffeur" -- a mix of photographer and graffiti artist -- has mounted enormous black-and-white photos of local residents on dilapidated bridges and slum walls in a bid to get his message across.

Pop star Rihanna has added another lucrative sponsorship deal to her portfolio, and not just any brand: the Barbadian singer is the new face of a Dior advertising campaign.

The French fashion house confirmed to Agence France Presse on Monday that Rihanna is "the new guest star for our 'Secret Garden' campaign", a promotional video and print series shot at the famous Versailles Palace outside Paris.

Actor Emile Hirsch is making his first court appearance since being charged with assault for allegedly putting a studio executive in a chokehold and dragging her across a nightclub table while he was in Utah for the Sundance Film Festival.

Hirsch was charged last month with aggravated assault, which is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. He is also facing a misdemeanor count of intoxication.

British pop legend Elton John called for a boycott of Dolce and Gabbana on Sunday after one of the designers behind the Italian fashion label condemned IVF babies as "synthetic".

The 67-year-old singer-songwriter, who has two young sons with husband David Furnish born via a surrogacy arrangement, attacked Domenico Dolce for his "archaic thinking".

The live action remake of animated-classic "Cinderella" had a nice fit in North American movie theaters, topping the list of estimated weekend ticket sales.

The Disney movie, featuring Lily James as enchanted princess Ella and Cate Blanchett as her cruel stepmother, took in $70 million.