Richard Lugner, an Austrian billionaire known for bringing celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Pamela Anderson to the Vienna Opera Ball, has died at 91. According to People, he died at his villa in Vienna on Monday, just two months after marrying his sixth wife, Simone Reilander. Emergency services rushed to his home but were unable to revive him.

As per AFP, Mr Lugner had been battling various health issues and underwent surgery in recent months. Despite his health challenges, he still managed to attend the prestigious Vienna Opera Ball in February with Priscilla Presley, ex-wife of Elvis Presley.

Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer paid a touching tribute to him on X and wrote, ”Richard Lugner was a successful entrepreneur and a dazzling personality. An Austrian original who never lost his way. May he rest in peace!”

Richard Lugner war ein erfolgreicher Unternehmer und eine schillernde Persönlichkeit. Ein österreichisches Original, das sich nie verbogen hat. Er ruhe in Frieden! pic.twitter.com/tqp6Zau9fJ

— Karl Nehammer (@karlnehammer) August 12, 2024

Who was Richard Lugner?

Mr Lugner was a successful Austrian entrepreneur who built his fortune in construction and real estate and was also known for his flashy lifestyle and celebrity connections. Mr Lugner’s celebrity guests included the likes of Joan Collins, Jane Fonda, Pamela Anderson, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton, among others.

One of his most enduring legacies is the iconic Lugner City shopping centre in Vienna, which he built in 1990. The complex shared a touching tribute to its founder on Facebook, referring to him as ”our mortar and above all our beloved boss.” 

The billionaire also harboured political ambitions and ran twice in the Austrian presidential elections as an independent candidate, once in 1998 and again in 2016, as per Euro News. 

Notably, his death came just two months after his marriage to Simone Reilander, 42. The couple exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony at Vienna City Hall on June 1, surrounded by close friends and family. At the wedding, Mr Lugner declared, “It will be the last marriage,” People reported, quoting a local media report.

He was previously married to Christine Gmeiner (​1961-1978), Cornelia Laufersweiler​​ (​1979-1983), Susanne Dietrich (1984-1989), Christina Lugner (1990-2007), as well as Playboy model and actress Cathy Schmitz (2014-2016).

He leaves behind four children from his previous marriages.   

Kim Kardashian has served up controversial Met Gala looks for over a decade. Every year, her waist seems to shrink further in ever tightening corsets. Her outfit by Maison Margiela Artisanal for the Met Gala 2024 was no exception. At this event, though, the corsetry was so extreme that viewers seemed more concerned by Kardashian’s seeming inability to breathe, rather than stunned by her fashion statement.

While Kim has long championed “waist training” – wearing high-compression elastic girdle around the midsection for long periods of time to “train” the body into a more hourglass shape – this recent look highlights a controversial fashion practice: tight-lacing.

Tight lacing is extreme corset cinching. It has raised concerns among medical professionals since at least 1793. Those desperate to achieve a “perfect” hourglass figure haven’t been put off by potential health risks, however. Cathy Jung holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest waist, which measured only 38.1cm in her corset. Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala waist can’t be too far behind.

But a tiny waist can come at a terrible price – what happens to the internal anatomy when subjected to such extreme compression?

Lungs

One of the most immediate effects of wearing a tightly laced corset is the restriction placed on the lungs and diaphragm. The corset compresses the lower rib cage, limiting the expansion of the lungs. This reduces the volume of air that can be inhaled in a single breath leading to shallower breathing, shortness of breath and decreased oxygen intake, which may cause dizziness, fainting and overall fatigue.

Cardiovascular system

The heart and blood vessels are also impacted by corset wearing. Tight lacing increases pressure inside the abdomen, which can compress the inferior vena cava — the large vein that carries blood back to the heart. This can reduce the flow of blood returning to the heart and, over time, can increase heart rate and blood pressure as the heart works harder to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.
In 2020, a case report of lower limb ischaemia – a condition in which blood flow is restricted or reduced in a part of the body – was reported in a 51-year-old woman who had been wearing a waist trainer.

Guts

Tight lacing has many effects on the digestive tract. The compression of the abdomen can displace the stomach, intestines and liver. This leads to slowed or disrupted digestion. Corset wearers may experience symptoms such as acid reflux, where stomach acid backs up into the oesophagus causing heartburn and discomfort. An 1889 article, written during a period when more women wore corsets, described how the altered position of the intestines can lead to chronic constipation and – although some users report that waist binders have helped their digestive issues – doctors continue to warn that mid-section compression garments can lead to constipation.

Bones and muscles

The prolonged use of corsets can also lead to musculoskeletal changes. The corset can act like an external skeleton, restricting the natural movement of the torso and hips, which could explain Kardashian’s difficulty walking during her time on the Met Gala red carpet. Over time, this can lead to weakened back muscles and a reliance on the corset for postural support. Additionally, it can alter the natural curvature of the spine and potentially lead to chronic back pain and posture issues. The skeletal ribcage of a lifelong corset wearer, held at the Royal College of Surgeons museum, demonstrates a distorted shape.

Benefits of corset-wearing

Tight lacing is an extreme example of corseting that does not provide any benefit to the human body. However, there are instances when wearing a corset may even be recommended by a health practitioner.

Post birth, some women experience diastasis recti, a separation of muscles in the abdomen. Studies have shown that wearing an abdominal corset can aid recovery. It’s also been suggested that corsets can help the short-term treatment of lower back pain.

Beyond the physical health risks, wearing a corset like Kardashian can be detrimental to mental health. The desire to attain an exaggerated hourglass figure can perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards and lead to issues with body image.

While the aesthetic appeal of corsets continues to make them a popular choice for high fashion statements, in everyday life it is important to weigh any cosmetic benefits against the potential health risks. The effects of wearing corsets on organ function and overall health can be significant. While occasional wear is unlikely to cause severe long-term consequences, frequent use of tightly laced corsets can lead to a host of medical issues – and potentially even death.

Fashion trends will continue to evolve, and with them, the choices we make about our bodies and health. Style, however, should never come at the cost of wellbeing.

Rebecca Shepherd, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, University of Bristol

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

New Delhi:

Reality star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian on Friday introduced SKIMS’ Ultimate Nipple Bra. The latest version of the brand’s popular push-up style includes a faux nipple for added visual impact, said Kim in her Instagram post, which also included a video featuring her.

In the campaign video, Kim Kardashian said, “The Earth’s temperature is getting hotter and hotter. The sea levels are rising. The ice sheets are shrinking. And I’m not a scientist, but I do believe everyone can use their skill set to do their part. That is why I’m introducing a brand-new bra with a built-in nipple, so no matter how hot it is, you’ll always look cold.”

The Internet was divided over the Ultimate Nipple Bras, priced at $62, roughly Rs 5,200,  with some expressing support and others showing disapproval.

A breast cancer survivor thanked Kim Kardashian for the new bra design, commenting, “As a breast cancer survivor, thank you.”

“Women who have suffered from breast cancer and want that extra boost of confidence, are going to appreciate this so much? Also, girls who aren’t the happiest with the girls on their chest from having kids etc! This is pretty innovative if you ask me!” another comment read.

Meanwhile, few others thought it was a joke. Someone wrote, “I thought this was a joke,” while another added, “For a second I thought it was an April Fools but it’s October lol.”

One user disapproved of Kim using climate change as a marketing gimmick for fast fashion. The person wrote, “Please say sike… you lost me with this one Kim….using climate change as a punchline for the furthering of fast fashion marketing….these carbon removals you’re promising better be bulletproof!! Talking carbon negative!!!!”

Kim Kardashian also added that a portion of the proceeds from the latest release will be contributed to a charitable cause. The caption read, “In addition to our investment in advancing carbon removal, SKIMS is proud to donate 10% of sales from our SKIMS Ultimate Nipple Bra, as a one-time donation, to @1percentftp – a global network with thousands of businesses and environmental organizations working together to support people and the planet.”

SKIMS specialises in shapewear and undergarments and the company is worth $4 billion, as per Forbes.