Category Archives: Culture

Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award – A sneak preview at the work of the finalists!

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 The finalists of the Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award have been announced and we have the winning sketches that are taking this year’s hottest new designers to FS2012!

 

Now entering its 20th year, the St Andrews Charity Fashion Show is a professionally run and high achieving student organisation, which is passionate about both fundraising and fashion. It is currently the largest student-run charity fashion show in the UK. FS2012 will take place on 25th February and will showcase young design talent alongside big fashion brands and as official jewellery partner of this year’s show, Swarovski will adorn models with pieces from its couture jewellery collection, Atelier Swarovski.

 

Nadja Swarovski commented, “The St Andrews Charity Fashion show has a long history of promoting both young and established design talent, which is in keeping with Swarovski’s commitment to supporting creative industries. As a patron I am delighted to be a part of this exciting event which also benefits such a deserving cause as the Muir Maxwell Trust.”

 

FS 2012 are working this year with the Muir Maxwell Trust (MMT), a charity that supports the 70,000 children in the UK with epilepsy and their families. Established in 2003 by Ann and Jonny Maxwell, the Trust is named after the Maxwell’s 14 year old son, Muir, who is profoundly damaged by a severe form of epilepsy that began in infancy.

 

The Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award will function as a platform for UK-based new and emerging young designers. In conjunction with the 20th Anniversary of our show, it will combine the authority of well-known designers with the flare of the country’s best student design talent both on the catwalk and throughout our campaign.

 

The recipient of the Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award will receive:

 

  • The Alfa Romeo Young Designer Award 2012
  • £1000 in prize money, courtesy of Alfa Romeo
  • The opportunity to design a fashion line, worth £500, in support of our chosen charity: The Muir Maxwell Trust
  • Exclusive feature and spread in The FS Magazine, with over 7,000 online readers.

The 2011 judging panel included the PPQ design duo, Amy Molyneaux & Percy Parker, as well as Britain’s Next Top Model Winner, Alex Evans.

Is President Obama Right About Engineers?

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Is President Obama Right About Engineers?: Significant Numbers Unemployed or Underemployed

WASHINGTON,  During a recent video chat session, President Obama told a woman that he could not understand why her engineer husband was unemployed because “industry tells me that they don’t have enough highly skilled engineers.” However, in an analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies of the data from the American Community Survey collected by the Census Bureau show that there are a total of 1.8 million U.S.-born individuals with engineering degrees who are either unemployed, out of the labor market, or not working as engineers. This is true for those with many different types of engineering degrees.

For a complete review of the American Community Survey, including a table containing detailed employment figures for specific engineering degrees, visit the Center for Immigration Studies website at: http://cis.org/obama-and-engineers

The 2010 American Community Survey shows:

  • There are 101,000 U.S.-born individuals with engineering degrees who are unemployed.
  • There are an additional 244,000 U.S.-born individuals under age 65 who have a degree in engineering but who are not in the labor market. This means they are not working nor are they looking for work, and are therefore not counted as unemployed.
  • In addition to those unemployed and out of the labor force, there are an additional 1.47 million U.S.-born individuals who report they have an engineering degree and have a job, but do not work as engineers.
  • President Obama specifically used the words “highly skilled.” In 2010, there were 25,000 unemployed U.S.-born individuals with engineering degrees who have a Master’s or Ph.D. and another 68,000 with advanced degrees not in the labor force. There were also 489,000 U.S.-born individuals with graduate degrees who were working, but not as engineers.
  • Relatively low pay and perhaps a strong bias on the part of some employers to hire foreign workers seems to have pushed many American engineers out their profession.
  • There are many different types of engineering degrees. But unemployment, non-work, or working outside of your field is common for Americans with many different types of engineering degrees.
  • The key policy question for the United States is how many foreign engineers should be admitted in the future. Contrary to President Obama’s statement, the latest data from the Census Bureau indicate there is a very large supply of American-born engineers in the country. It would be better for the president to seek more diverse sources of information than simply relying on “industry” to determine what is going on in the U.S. labor market.

Data Source: Figures for the above analysis come from a Center for Immigration Studies analysis of the public-use file of the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS) collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. Figures on degrees and employment are based on self-reporting in the survey and have been rounded to their nearest thousand. The survey asks about undergraduate degrees, so some of the individuals who have a Master’s or Ph.D. may not have their graduate degree in engineering. Also, those who indicated that they have a “professional degree” are not included in the discussion of those with Masters’ and Ph.D.s because a large share have law degrees. The 2010 data is the most recent ACS available.

The Center for Immigration Studies is an independent research institute that examines the impact of immigration on the United States.

 

SOURCE Center for Immigration Studies

Brits would rather share meal with Stephen Fry than Hollywood stars

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Brits would rather share meal with Stephen Fry than Hollywood stars

* Stephen Fry most popular well-travelled celebrity to share a meal with
* Italian food is British people’s favourite foreign cuisine
* Half of Britons say food is important factor when choosing holiday destination

A new survey by Intrepid Travel has found that more people would like to share a meal with TV presenter Stephen Fry than with Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie or George Clooney.

When asked to choose from a list of well-travelled celebrities, Stephen Fry was the most popular person to share a meal with (15%), followed by Frozen Planet presenter Sir David Attenborough (11%) and adventurer Michael Palin (9%). Just one in 20 people said they’d most like to share a meal with Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie or George Clooney (both 5%). Three times as many people chose Jamie Oliver compared with Gordon Ramsay (6% and 2% respectively).

The poll, which was carried out for the small group travel specialist by YouGov, found that although Chicken Tikka Masala may be thought to be the nation’s favourite dish, Italian food is British people’s favourite foreign cuisine, with one in six (17%) saying it’s their top choice.

Italian was voted the most popular cuisine among 18 to 34 year-olds*, Indian cuisine is the top choice for 35 to 44 year-olds**, while 45 and overs are more patriotic in their choice of meal and most likely to favour British food***.

Almost half of those surveyed who have been on holiday abroad (47%) said that the local cuisine is very or fairly important when choosing their holiday destination abroad. But although almost 9 in 10 with a favourite cuisine (87%) have eaten it in a restaurant, and 8 in 10 have cooked it at home, less then four in ten (38%) have eaten their favourite cuisine in a restaurant in the country that it comes from.

Within the UK, Londoners are the most likely to seek out the most authentic food they can find when travelling, eating from street stalls and markets whenever possible (18%), while Scots are the most likely to stick to Western chain restaurants or familiar cuisines (15%).

“It’s refreshing to hear that British people would rather share a meal with someone famed for their great wit and conversation, than with a Hollywood heartthrob,” says Rebecca McKernan, Manager at the Intrepid My Adventure Store.

“Sharing a meal is a great way to get to know people, their tastes and their culture. That’s why eating in family-run restaurants, local markets and people’s homes features so highly on Intrepid’s itineraries. Whether your favourite cuisine is Italian or Indian, Mexican or Malaysian, you haven’t tasted it at its authentic best until you’ve enjoyed it in the country where it comes from,” adds McKernan.

Throughout February, Intrepid Travel is offering 15% off gastronomic tours in more than 15 countries known for their fabulous cuisine, from India to Vietnam, Sri Lanka to Mexico, as well as destinations closer to home including Italy, Spain and France.

The discounted trips showcase global food at its most authentic, with cooking classes, street food and local markets featuring prominently on many of the itineraries. Trips can be booked at www.intrepidtravel.com/deliciousdiscoveries.

HEARTNUTS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

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‘Why not treat your loved one to Heartnuts this year?’

NutsandSeeds.co.uk, a London based company, are introducing a brand new nut or seed to the UK every month. Last month they welcomed Black Walnuts. This month they’re introducing Heartnuts!

Heartnuts are a beautiful variety of the Japanese Walnut. They are a rare and delicious nut that are shaped like a heart and open like a locket – with two heart shaped halves.

Once inside, the small pieces of nut meat will delight your taste buds.

The heartnut has a pleasing taste of a mild, sweet Walnut but without the bitterness. Like walnuts they have the same heart healthy properties of omega 3 and 6 and are packed full of healthy antioxidants, protein and fiber which are proven to be good for cardiovascular health and brain function.

A wonderful nut raw, in cooking or baking, it is especially flavourful toasted. They can be used in any recipe that uses walnuts. Heartnuts make a wonderful pesto and are delicious in cookies and baked goods. The mild, sweet flavour is excellent with cheeses such as feta. 

The Heartnut’s beautiful shells are also great for crafting. The heart shape, sturdy structure, and texture work very well in wreaths and decorations.

If you’re a grower, Heartnut trees are fast growing, hardier and more vigorous than walnut trees, less prone to disease and more tolerant of wet climates. They have the potential to grow very well in the UK and Ireland and NutsandSeeds.co.uk are highly supportive of English growers. Nuts and Seeds already sell English grown cobnuts, chestnuts and walnuts from UK organic farms.

For more information, recipes and to purchase Heartnuts fresh this season, raw and in shell, visit NutsandSeeds.co.uk

NITE WATCHES – WATCHES FOR STYLISH ADVENTURERS!

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Combining innovative design, beautiful aesthetics and high-precision technology, Nite watches are renowned for their reliability and functionality in the most extreme situations – a perfect solution for individuals seeking the true spirit and challenge of adventure.

All Nite watches are fitted with a superb, self powered illumination technology known as GTLS; providing wearers with a constant light source that can last up to 15 years and is just one of the reasons why some models are NATO-approved and used by elite Special Forces.

Nite watches are made to exacting standards, using the best materials, production methods and specifications to create watches in a class of their own. With the design and quality comparative to some of the most highly respected brands in the world, the prices are not- instead representing excellent value to the owner.

The ICON is fashionable and comfortable – as cool and comfortable to wear on the street as on top of a glacier. The contemporary design of the ICON attracts looks with its stylish simplicity, bold large face, 316 grade brushed stainless steel case, brightly glowing Swiss illumination and high quality, studded tan or white leather strap.

Nite watches are the perfect choice for style conscious explorers, adventurers and businessmen. To view the complete Nite watches range for both men and women, visit www.nitewatches.com.

The GTLS technology is a light source emitted by every Nite watch and allows Nite-wearers to see what the time is, night or day, blizzard or monsoon. Each watch face and hands feature minute laser sealed glass tubes (the GLTS – Gaseous Tritium Light Source) – which are internally coated with phosphor. The electrons in the gaseous tritium excite the phosphor causing it to glow continuously without any external power source.

Nite watches are exclusively available from the brand website – www.nitewatches.com. This world-class digital platform is designed to communicate exactly what the Nite ethos is all about. It features a fully compliant and secure online store, where Nite’s products are clearly displayed and explained. There is also a social programme called Unite where customers share their user experiences. Nite believes that nothing represents their brand values better than their customers’ stories.

Seven Tips For Getting an Internship

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It’s a jungle out there, with people finding it hard to even get an internship. Here are seven tips to up your game.

1) Who do you know? Ask around. The best way to get an internship is through people who are already in your circle. Ask friends, family friends and acquaintances. Put a request out on Facebook and Twitter. Think about the six degrees of separation.
2) Brush up on your activities; A pro-active, community spirited person is more likely to be hired than someone who has nothing to say and wastes their time. Make yourself sound as interesting as possible.
3) Lose the sense of entitlement; No-one likes someone who thinks the world owes them a living, you are no more special then anyone else. Arrogance is off-putting, but confidence is key.
4) Work Harder than anyone else. Employers love people who help themselves.
5) Think about what is stopping people giving you an internship, and then remove it. Take the feedback that you are getting from other people. If you are trying to get into finance do you keep getting told you need another qualification? Get it and remove the obstacles.
6) Account for gaps on your CV; Think about what you could say when asked about these. Bad things to say are; sitting around the house or watching TV. Say that you were learning French or something as interesting.
7) Be likeable; It’s obvious but people like working with nice people. Try to smile even if you don’t feel like it, say please and thank you. People will remember you as a good, polite person.

WIE Symposium UK Bringing Together Most Powerful Women

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TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE FIRST WIE SYMPOSIUM UK BRINGING TOGETHER THE MOST POWERFUL MINDS TO INSPIRE AND EXCITE WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD

A host of prominent women from the worlds of business, fashion and film will congregate at the Women Inspiration and Enterprise (WIE) Symposium to lead a series of seminars after successfully launching in America with the support of Donna Karen, Queen Rania of Jordan and Christie Turlington. The event will happen on International Women’s Day, March 8th 2012 and will feature discussions from luminaries including Jo Malone, Kathy Lette and Lynn de Rothschild.

The WIE Symposium will offer a full day of thought-provoking panels, inspirational master
classes and powerful keynote speakers. Tickets will be on sale from 23rd January, available at
www.wienetwork.org at £150.00 per person.

Issues to be addressed at The Hospital Club, London range from the future of girls’ education
to getting women off the sidelines in business and public life and the ‘green revolution’.
Additionally the Symposium will launch the WIE Mentorship Scheme – an initiative designed to
coach and aid young female entrepreneurs through a year of advice and counsel from leading
business women.

Starting the day, WIE is thrilled to announce the inaugural Power Breakfast – an annual event
that will honour 50 of the top female business trailblazers at the iconic London Stock Exchange.
The WIE Symposium is the brainchild of television presenter June Sarpong and former film
executive Dee Poku, who conquered New York with a plan to help women from all walks of
life achieve their full potential.

June Sarpong said; “We are incredibly excited about launching WIE in the UK. The UK is filled
with incredible female thought leaders who are already doing their bit to empower the next
generation. Our goal is to harness the legendary creativity and innovation of London to
empower women and girls across the country and help them reach their full potential.”
PRESS RELEASE 23rd January 2012

Female leaders already signed up to take part in the event include Celia Walden, Julie Woods
Moss (BT), Baroness Scotland and Lynne Franks who join the likes Sarah Brown, Arianna
Huffington, Diane von Furstenberg and Iman from previous events.

International Women’s Day:
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and
celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from
all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities
and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion
parades and more.

The Hospital Club:
Sue Walter, CEO of the Hospital Club says, “The Hospital Club is privileged to be hosting
London’s inaugural WIE Symposium. We share many of the same values around inspiration,
enterprise and nurturing emerging talent and we’re very excited to be joining forces to bring
British women this unique opportunity to learn from each other and be inspired by what the
future holds.”

WIE Founders:
Dee Poku is a social entrepreneur, marketing consultant and philanthropic strategist. Poku is also the owner of Right Angle, a branding and marketing consultancy that develops and
implements innovative campaigns for a cross section of high profile films, non-profits and
consumer brands. Her background includes senior marketing roles at Paramount Pictures and
Focus Features where she oversaw the movie release campaigns for the likes of Al Gore’s ‘An
Inconvenient Truth’; the Coen brothers’ ‘No Country For Old Men’; Sofia Coppola’s ‘Lost in
Translation’ and Ang Lee’s ‘Brokeback Mountain’. She is a member of the British Academy
(BAFTA) and Women in Film.

June Sarpong has become one of the most recognisable faces of British television – as the
female face of Channel 4’s successful Sunday morning strand T4 for the first eight years, June
has become part of TV history. Her groundbreaking Tony Blair Channel 4 special, ‘When Tony
Met June’ saw her being granted unprecedented access to the British PM. She has also
interviewed and introduced some of the world’s biggest names including: Nelson Mandela,
HRH Prince of Wales, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Bono, George Clooney and 50 Cent. June is an
ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and also campaigns for the Make Poverty History movement –
she was awarded an MBE on the Queens 2007 new years honours list for services to broadcasting and charity.

Mixed Up Productions presents As You Like It

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Firstly, let me say that I did like it! Time passed quickly while I was watching this production, which is always a good sign.

The physical energy of this production was evident from the outset, with the sparring between the two brothers practically spilling over into the audience. However it was in Scene II, with the arrival on stage of Rosalind (Clare Langford) and Celia (Gabrielle Curtis), that the emotional and intellectual content became equally apparent, drawing this reviewer fully into the narrative. From this point onwards, with one or two exceptions, the pace continued unabated, and, before we knew it, we had reached the interval. The second half was, if anything, more engaging than the first, with one scene blending seamlessly into another, so that on reaching the final wedding scene and closing epilogue, one was left still wishing for more.

Rosalind and Celia were each imbued with a spirit of liveliness and playfulness by the respective actors, both of whom spoke Shakespeare’s words as naturally as modern-day English. Also excellent in that respect were Yvonne Riley and Owen Nolan: the former bringing a chilling sense of menace to the character of Duke Senior, and the latter playing the bucolic Corin in a very laid-back and credible manner. Owen was also responsible for much of the music, along with Catriona Mackenzie and her haunting flute, using Irish folk ballads to bring the atmosphere of the forest to life.

Will Wheeler and Ryan Wichert gave convincing performances as Orlando and Oliver respectively, and Kate Bancroft (Phebe) and Jeffrey Ho (Silvius) were hilarious in their scenes together, although Silvius was quite camp for a man so passionately in love with a woman! Overall, the company acquitted themselves admirably, capably directed by Marianna Vogt.

There are obvious staging difficulties that arise with a cast of 16 in a venue as small as the White Bear. I had a restricted view for a significant amount of the time, and did not get the full effect of the final scene. It would be nice to see the production on a larger stage, which would also give the director the chance to develop her Tent City theme, to which it was difficult to do justice in such a confined space.

I am told that tickets are selling very well, but there are still a few left, so if you fancy an evening’s romp through the Forest of Arden in the company of some talented performers, then make sure and get yourself down to Kennington one evening this week.

At the White Bear, Kennington 24 – 29 January 2012
www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk