NEW YORK, Jun 7, 2007 / FW --- There seems to be a synergy between Wall Street and beautiful women. Today, at 9:30 AM, the reigning Miss Universe, Riyo Mori and Miss USA, Rachel Smith will ring the opening bell at the American Stock Exchange.

Truly, it is just ceremonial, because whether a VIP or the regular person who staffs that station rings the bell, trading begins at the appointed time.

But, the ringing of the bell at the stock exchange has become a social event, a photo op to ring in the beginning of something. Case in point, last September, New York Fashion Week started with Fern Mallis and a plethora of beautiful super models around her rang the bell at the stock exchange.

Even the fictional Carrie Bradshow, in the HBO series ‘Sex & The City,’ rang the bell. In fact, in that episode, the actual ringing of the bell was shown and the commencement of trading on the floor made a cameo appearance.

It will be safe to assume that those traders are not extras, but rather, while filming the episode, Sarah Jessica Parker actually had to ring the opening bell.