Monthly Archives: September 2011

London Fashion Week | Vivienne Westwood Red Label Spring- Summer 2012

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On 18th September 2011 Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label Spring- Summer 2012 catwalk show took place at the historical Smithfields Market, London.

The collection was inspired by a Degas Painting of young girls watching Spartans exercising and the ancient games- with classic cuts and tailoring all taken from the Vivienne Westwood archive collections. The chalk patterns from the painting influenced the strong silver palate through the collection with the ancient look somehow transforming into a space age Barbarella which was also reflected in the hair and make-up. Tropical wool from our classics and Price of Wales checks in cotton created sharp smart suiting looks.

The show also introduced the Rainforest charity, Cool Earth, and a campaign that is very close to Vivienne’s heart- a plan to save the most vulnerable Rainforest areas by 2020.

“Cool Earth has a plan to save the Rainforest.

If we don’t save the Rainforest- Forget it!

First we saved the Rainforest.

Will they ever know we saved the planet?”

Vivienne Westwood

The Spring/Summer 2012 Red Label Fashion Show also marked the launch of an ongoing partnership between Vivienne Westwood and Sony music, enabled with the support of the British Fashion Councils- Bazaar Fashion Arts Foundation. Communicating an important message about our world’s rainforests, a limited number of Vivienne Westwood designed MP3 players, a badge that plays music, were distributed to guests at the show containing a short recording from Vivienne herself and an excerpt from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro supplied by Sony Music. This limited edition Playbutton acts as a teaser for a more extensive commercial collection to be launched in stores November/December 2011. The Playbutton is an innovative mix-tape of music that doubles up as a fun accessory. With all the typical functionality of a mini MP3 player, the Playbutton pairs the concept of a great album with the classic button for the perfect wearable way to listen to music. The Playbutton is coming soon to Vivienne Westwood stores worldwide and a select number of boutiques.

Sitting front row alongside the fashion royalty were celebrities Kelis, Pamela Anderson, Erin O’Conner, Tracey Emin, Jaquetta Wheeler, Portia Freeman, Zara Martin, Eliza Doolittle, Paloma Faith, and Sunday Girl.

Kelis (fresh from her fuax pas of accusing London of being a ‘racist’ city when she was actually insulted in Spain) chose to wear a silver blouse with a printed pencil skirt from the Autumn-Winter 2011 Gold Label collection.

Erin O’Connor chose to wear a blue wool suit with a light blue cotton shirt from the Red Label Autumn-Winter 2011 collection with silver sequin wedge shoes from the Autumn-Winter 2011 Gold Label collection.

Paloma Faith wore a Gerent sienna skirt with a Holes vest and Hunter arm warmers with sequin silver knee-high boots from the Autumn-Winter 2011 Gold Label collection.

Dr Who Review: The God Complex

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Hotels. Let’s face it, they’re creepy at the best of times. Pop one into Doctor Who, however, and you’re in a whole world of trouble.

As indeed are Rory, Amy and the Doctor when they check in to The God Complex, the 11th episode of series 6.

The complex of the title turns out to be a floating intergalactic prison that has, bizarrely, camouflaged itself to look like a 1980’s hotel. Inside lives a single alien prisoner resembling a Minotaur who feeds off of the faith of other races. In an effort to feed the prisoner, the complex abducts people from passing civilisations and challenges them with their greatest fears, forcing them to fall back on their core beliefs so that the Minotaur can gobble them up.
Riiiiiiiight.

Okay, as a premise this one barely hangs together… but then again, when has that ever stopped Doctor Who? Baby creatures made from excess body fat, flying sharks, 100ft tall steam-powered Cybermen; it’s all in a day’s work for the Timelord and his chums.

And in this case, it doesn’t matter a jot that the logic of this episode is a light breeze away from falling apart completely. Toby Whithouse’s script is a joyous combination of touching characterisation, creepy imagery, pithy dialogue and genuine emotional clout. It’s a great piece of work and everything I’ve come to expect from the creator of the sublime BBC3 series ‘Being Human’.

Rita and Gibbs are especially well-written and realised. Rita (played by the lovely Amara Karan) conveyed more humanity, sweetness and character in one episode than Amy managed in the whole of Series 5… so you knew she was going to get the chop. Which she did.
Drat.

And Gibbs was another great addition to the Whoniverse – a creature whose main aim in life is to be enslaved by the next passing alien race. “Our national Anthem is ‘Glory to Insert Name Here‘,” he explains. A fabulous idea brought to life by the ever-dependable David Walliams.

But it was the final denouement that really lifted this episode up with the best this season has had to offer. The Doctor finally letting Amy and Rory go after – lets face it – royally screwing with their lives. It was a poignant finale to a rather fabulous episode of Who and I challenge anyone not to have a lump in their throat after seeing Matt Smith all alone in the cavernous TARDIS – the “Lonely God” once more. Sob.

So who does he turn to? Why, Craig from ‘The Lodger’ of course! Next week sees the return of my favourite character from Season 5 (hurrah!) and Cybermen. Let the good times continue to roll…

Jessie J unveiled as Glaceau vitaminwater's Olympic ambassador – as she launches 'Flavour Creator'

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Glacéau vitaminwater is proud to be worldwide partner and best mate for the London 2012 Olympic Games

September 2011, Glacéau vitaminwater® is proud to announce its partnership of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The original, great tasting enhanced hydration from New York, is announcing its status as worldwide partner and best mate of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Glacéau vitaminwater is also announcing that British pop sensation and style icon Jessie J, has been brought onboard as a brand ambassador. Glacéau vitaminwater will be inviting and inspiring people to get involved in a series of exciting projects and events, in which Jessie J will be bringing to life the colour, personality and fun of Glacéau vitaminwater.

The first of these projects will be Flavour Creator, an exciting and inspiring competiton that will be inviting the public to co-create, with Glacéau vitaminwater, the flavour of the Olympic Games. Jessie J will be encouraging Britain to co-create this new limited edition flavour of the Olympic Games via a unique Facebook application www.facebook.com/vitaminwater <http://www.facebook.com/vitaminwater>

Scheduled to hit the shelves in time for London 2012 this will be the official Glacéau vitaminwater flavour and the first time Flavour Creator will be activated in the UK – to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Jessie J said, “The London 2012 games is a once in a lifetime event and I am so excited to have the chance to be part of it. It is a chance to show Britain at its best with music and sport and creativity combined. Good times.”

To help Glacéau vitaminwater pick its London 2012 Flavour go to:
www.facebook/vitaminwater <http://www.facebook/vitaminwater>


 

Wendy’s Baby Diary – 25 weeks (or 5 months 2 weeks). Nevermind.

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There’s been a break from the baby diary after a long holiday with no internet, and when I got home I continued to abstain for a while.  But like all pleasurable things it was difficult to give it up for long.

Baby Swimming

The latest event for the baby is swimming lessons. He’s
been twice now and each time cried and been quite upset. We’re puzzled because
he enjoys his bath times, and he kicks in the bath, smiles, even laughs but swimming
is not a hit.  Maybe it’s because he gets dunked in the pool by the teacher, or because there are a lot of other babies crying, and it’s all a bit confusing. But apparently babies like swimming underwater.
Speaking of which (I’m reliably informed) the baby on the cover of Nirvana’s
Nevermind album is 20 years old now and was only paid $25 dollars. On the plus
side he’ll never be embarrassed by his parents getting out the family album.

Weaning

We’ve not tried many different foods yet, so far it’s
been purees of carrot & potato, apple & banana, Farley’s rusks and baby
rice. Dillon still prefers milk, formula or breastmilk. I’d like to get him off
‘the boob’ as night-times can be pretty tiring. But I’ll miss it when
breastfeeding stops. Not sure when but definitely before he can say “ham
sandwich”.

Eczema

Dillon gets a really bad rash on the back of his legs when he sits in his Bumbo chair – so he may have an allergy to latex. Or it may just be a baby thing. I’ve tried Sudocrem, then Diprobase, now hydrocortisone, which seems to be working.  Lots of baby have rashes and sensitive skin in general as they gradually get used to all the different things in the environment. Hopefully it will clear up by he’s 12, in time for teenage acne.

NCT

I’m a member of the National Childbirth Trust which provides antenatal classes for new parents-to-be, and is probably the best way to get to know people who are having children at the same time as you. We take it in turns to host monthly coffee mornings – or afternoons! It’s invaluable to
have other people going through something the same time you are and to share
your feelings of confusion, guilt, joy, and fatigue. The dads haven’t seen each
other since the mums were pregnant but I’m sure they’ll meet again.

NCT classes really push breastfeeding and there is a lot to say on the subject – I wrote an article about the pros and cons vs formula here http://www.femalearts.com/node/49 – I think it is
difficult to breastfeed exclusively and take my hat off to anyone who’s managed
it.

Highchair

Was assembled today and Dillon sat proudly in his new
throne, played with his toy and ate his puree. It’s a Cosatto Noodle Zuton if
that means anything to anyone. It’s got different heights and vertical
settings, a big tray with different shape compartments, is big enough to
prevent the baby from knocking stuff off the table which he was doing before whenever
we had dinner. I’ve purchased a load of plastic glasses for me and hubbie, in
an attempt to avoid glass breakages.  I’m sure things will get worse the more mobile the baby gets and the house will slowly disintegrate (at the same time as my hair going grey and my husband’s
hair falling out). No one tells you how glamorous parenting is.

 

© Wendy Thomson 2011

Wendy Thomson is the editor of www.femalearts.com an online publication
which promotes women in the arts and in business.

Downton Abbey, Scorsese's Broadwalk Empire Compete For Emmy Awards.

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Downton Abbey, Mad Men and Broadwalk Empire are all competing for Emmy Awards tonight. The Emmy Awards are the TV equivalent of the Oscars.

Mad Men have been nominated for outstanding drama series, for the fourth year in a row. Jon Hamm is also nominated for outstanding dramatic actor and co-star Elisabeth Moss has been nominated for best dramatic actress, Christina Hendricks and John Slattery are up for the best supporting actor/actress awards.

Kate Winslet and Hugh Laurie are keeping the British side up, Winslet is up for best actress in a mini-series for her role in Mildred Pierce, while the show itself is also competing for the mini-series award.

And Laurie is up against Jon Hamm in the outstanding actor category for his role as grumpy surgeon Dr Gregory House in the acclaimed drama House.

Downton Abbey – which returns to ITV tonight for a second series – is up for the best mini-series category, while Maggie Smith is nominated for her role as the Countess of Grantham. I have filmed a lot for Downtown Abbey, as a downstairs maid, so I am rooting for the cast and crew, who are all lovely.

And British actresses Eileen Atkins and Jean Marsh both received nominations for their roles in the BBC remake of Upstairs Downstairs.

Other shows with nominations are Glee – nominated in a few categories including best comedy – the medieval drama Game Of Thrones, serial killer drama Dexter and the US remake of The Office.
Martin Scorsese’s Boardwalk Empire is also tipped to win big at the awards.

The prohibition era drama is up against Mad Men in the best drama category, while Steve Buscemi is nominated in the same category as Jon Hamm, for the best actor trophy.

The awards, which will take place in Los Angeles on Sunday night, will be hosted by Glee actress Jane Lynch.

London Fashion Week 2011| Bolshie | Esprit | Paul Costello | Leutton Postle

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London Fashion Week 2011| Bolshie |Esprit |Paul Costello | Leutton Postle

I love London Fashion Week, so when my postman handed me a parcel which had lots of invites in an Outnet bag I got very excited. I headed to Somerset house wearing black (standard), flats (controversial) and my camera (which breaks!). Here is my run down so far.

Bolshie

 

Rhiannon Jones presents her first LFW show and gets Bolshie. The 19-year-old couldn’t be cooler, her show was on the top floor of a Shoreditch car park.

 

Rhiannon is self-taught and her ‘Romantic Poverty’, show featured brash prints and had MIC Righteous rapping ‘It’s going get Nasty!’. She also had good goody bags, not that journalists care about that type of thing…ahem.

Paul Costello

 

Paul officially opened Fashion Week again this year, his collection was feminine, flirty. Had lots of ruffles, puff sleeves, voluminous dresses and flowing fabrics. Great colours of coral, pink and green. The collection was inspired by the 1962 Hollywood Classic ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane’

Leutton Postle

I arrived early to the Freemasons’ Hall (Vauxhall Fashion Scout’s) and was informed that they were running an hour late. However, the show was worth it. The Vauxhall Fashion Scout merit award is an internationally recognised launch pad for the most innovative designers, and Leutton Postle received, and deserved it. They graduated from Central Saint Martins, design duo Sam Leutton and Jenny Postle then showcased their debut collection as part of the VFS merit award. They have a beautiful couture knitwear collection.

The collection is a colourful array of patterns, with patchwork, fringing, mesh skirts, and multicoloured knitwear. Garments hung loosely over shoulders. Very original.

RCA & Esprit

 

I was overjoyed when I got my bright pink Esprit invite, and even more overjoyed when I arrived, it was the best London Fashion event so far this week. I had a spinach and beetroot cocktail (surprisingly nice), a Russian Standard (very strong!), design my own T-shirt and got the designer Kevin Lyons to sign it. The bonus is, Lyon’s likes my T-shirt. I also coloured it in, have a boogie, eat amazing canapés and check out their collection. Everyone is nice and having fun. Tops stars. They are big on wool and their collection is fun, fashionable and original. Frost loves.

 

I also went to the Esthetica Fashion Champagne Brunch, BFC Chairman Harold Tillman CBE and Gregory Barker, Minister of State Department for Energy and Climate Change were there. It was a wonderful event.

Keep coming to Frost for more London Fashion Week news and reviews, and follow us on Twitter at @Frostmag or me at @Balavage

Muay Thai International Match of England v Thailand

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On Saturday 22nd October 2011 six incredible fights will take place in Oxford with the final two bouts being an International Match of England v Thailand
The fight is organised by Oxford Martial Arts Academy (OMAA) which is the UK’s leading martial arts academy with over 6,500 square foot of dedicated matted area, over 60 martial arts classes per week, the only Olympic size Boxing ring in Oxford and the only 28ft Cage in the UK!
Muay Thai is one of the oldest and most exciting Martial Arts known for being a favourite in Jean Claude Van Damme Films such as Kickboxer and popularised through games such as Street-fighter and Tekken.  Muay Thai is full contact with no protective head gear or clothing is worn and fighters can use punches, kicks, knees and even their elbows to win bouts.
The final two fights are both for England v Thailand but spilt into Adult & Junior categories. The England Junior representative Daniel Mc Gowan is just 15 years old and the youngest person ever in history to have a Thai National flow over to contend him.
This is the first time such a high level fight has been brought to Oxfordshire with the founders of OMAA, Vahram Papazyan & Tihomir Lalic spending over £25,000 on producing the evening.
“We started out with a little room just for us to train in – now we’re hosting International fights! These fighters are ones to watch out for” said Vahram, a keen wrestler and sportsman.
The family friendly evening will host six fights, starting with British fighters battling it out for Southern Area fights, moving onto to European Titles from Denmark, Sweden, England & Ireland with the Ultimate World Title Fight of Thailand v England – which is split into Adult and Junior bouts.
Tihomir Lalic, co-founder of OMAA said “Since we first set up OMAA in 2000 this has been our dream, to hold such an exciting and exclusive event – we plan to combine the very best service, food and drink with the most exciting live entertainment ever to be seen in Oxford!”
The event will be held at the picturesque Regal on Cowley Road, Oxford. Doors open at 4.30pm, with the fight card commencing 5.30pm.
Tickets are limited and selling fast.
Ticket Prices:
£25.00 Standard Ticket
£35.00 Stage Ticket
£75.00 VIP – including Champagne, Dinner & Event Programme.
Box Office:
Oxford Martial Arts Academy
21 Templar’s Square, Oxford, OX4 3XQ
Tel: 01865 774 998

Men Are Dirtier Than Women

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BATHS HAVE GONE DOWN THE PLUGHOLE

AND THE AVERAGE BRIT DOESN’T SHOWER DAILY

 

§       Men are the dirtier sex, but only just

§       Geordies are the cleanest, showering everyday

§       Welsh are the dirtiest with 10% showering just once a week

§       The traditional bar of soap has been replaced by a shower gel

§       One in 20 take a smartphone/ ipad in the bath with them

 

THE NATION’S love affair with a long hot soak in the bath has dwindled as the average Brit (28%) bathes just six times a year.

 

Shockingly, one in five of us have a bath just once a year.

 

And while showers are by far the most popular method of cleansing, even then we’re not squeaky clean, with the majority (52%) admitting they don’t take a daily shower, according to new national study* of the UK’s washing habits.

 

The survey of 3,000 men and women by adventurous shower and bathing brand Original Source revealed that the average Brit (30%) prefers to shower every other day, while 22% confess to showering up to three times a week.

 

When we do finally jump in the shower, we’re out just as quickly as we got in, spending a maximum of five minutes washing away the day’s dirt.

 

It may or may not come as a surprise that it’s the nation’s men who are the dirtiest with a massive 84% of those polled admitting men leave a lot to be desired when it comes to personal hygiene.

 

One in four women say they wished their partners washed more regularly and 10% of those have no qualms in telling them.

 

Meanwhile, 20% of men say their partners could also do with washing more often and 10% feel their female counterparts are more relaxed than them when it comes to personal hygiene.

When it comes to bathing, it seems our lack of time (33%) and worries over water and electricity/ gas bills (24%) are the main reasons for not taking baths regularly, while one in four see the bath as a luxury to be enjoyed as a treat.

 

28% of us go all out when it comes to taking a bath, splashing out on bubble bath, candles and music. 39% of us see the bath as the perfect place to unwind with a good book.

 

Worryingly, one in 20 of us even take our smartphones or ipads in the bath with us to keep updated with work and social networking, proving that clearly we’re a nation that never fully switches off.

 

And while we may not bathe as often as we like, 69% of Brits say there’s definitely still a place for a bath in the home and wouldn’t consider buying somewhere that didn’t have one.

 

When it comes to cleaning ourselves, it would appear that the days of a traditional bar of soap are long gone with just 18% choosing this form of cleanser. The rest prefer to lather up with a shower gel or cream.

 

Original Source senior brand manager, Annie Anstey, said: “It was quite a shock to discover that most Brits don’t shower every day – even the women. And it’s a shame to hear we can no longer afford ourselves the time to take a bath. A long hot soak is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to relax, which should help to ease away the worries of the day.

 

“We are now a nation of shower enthusiasts however, and the main reason is that taking a shower is so much quicker, more efficient and more economical in terms of how much water we use and how much it costs to heat that water. But we’d like to remind people to leave their smartphones and gadgets at the bathroom door… they definitely don’t benefit from a good soak!”