We have completely fallen in love with Jasper Conran’s SS15 collection. We want it all for the perfect capsule wardrobe. 
Photos: Jasper Conran.
Leticia Haute Coiffure and “the fastest blowout in London”
Luxury independent hair and beauty salon Leticia Haute Coiffure has been famed on being able to fully cater to their clients needs. The salon provides exclusive hair and beauty services including non bleached highlights and premium Brazilian blow-drys, to waxing, facials and even fashion styling. Perfect for women who are constantly on the go and in need of preening, the salon works on a membership basis with prices starting from £180 a month offering a round the clock service either at the salon, hotel or even in your own home. Another hidden gem within this Marylebone salon is that award winning, Creative Director, Pierre Doumit, has developed a signature 15 minute blowout which is said to work on any hair type and perfect for busy London women.
I was sent to try this service out and when better to try then slap bang in the middle of London Fashion Week. With shows backed up all day, I barely had an hour to spare and wanted to put “the fastest blowout in London” to the test.
myself and Pierre
On arrival the vibe was generally chilled out and Pierre and his amazing team of staff were on hand to grant your each and every demand. I didn’t really have much of an idea of the kind of style I wanted but I was pretty sure that I would be more than safe in Pierres expert hands. The staff were chatty and friendly from the get go and are more than welcoming. I was then left in the safe hands of Pierre and asked if I would like a head massage. Absolutely, I jumped at the chance especially when the craziness of Fashion Week kicked in. The massage was insane, I would have just stayed for it alone. The blowdry itself was a super speedy 15 minutes, if that, with the help of Pierre’s lovely assistant. My hair was revived and volumised and bigger than Bardots. As well as that, Pierre asked me if I would like adjustments and showed me how to create the volume I had asked for which personally is a huge plus when hair stylists show you how to recreate a gorgeous style at home.
As I was leaving, I couldn’t help but swoon over the nails of the girl who works in the salon. Turns out the manicurist based in the salon is a nail art goddess. All in all an amazing experience, speedy, friendly and it helps that they’re all good at their jobs too, if a 15 minute blow dry is what you’re after, I assure you Pierre will stick to his word.
Samsung Gear VR
This is the Samsung Gear VR, a wireless virtual reality headset that marks the company’s first steps into the wearable future tech arena previously pioneered by Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus.
What makes this baby different? Well the headset houses the Galaxy Note 4 and uses that as the screen to create the 360 visuals. Samsung says with Gear VR people can ‘fully immerse themselves in a cinematic virtual reality environment’. Samsung says the Note 4’s quad HD screen provides ‘stunning and engaging visuals’. First testers likened the experience to sitting in the best seat of a theatre or being ‘on-stage at a performance with full 360 3D video’.
First impressions are that it looks state of the art and very cool, but what is it for? Playing virtual reality games and watching 360-degree videos of course. Questions also arise when you think of the technology, Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus have been years in the making and both products have individual screens; one for each eye. Project Morpheus uses the PlayStation Camera to maintain calibration. I don’t know about you but when using maps on my mobile phone it annoyingly repeatedly needs recalibrating so quite how it will work without this issue remains to be seen. However by turning the phone into a functioning VR kit one thing is clear and that is Samsung seems intent on making 360 experiences accessible as possible. It’s interesting too that given the Google Glass they have chosen to go in a completely different direction.
So how much does it cost? Well first views are that the headset may cost around the £250 – that is separate from the phone itself. However given the likelihood of different deals by various companies this may change.
Keep it tuned to Frost for more details.
The Best Smartphones For Your Online Fun
Mobile phones are so much more than just communicative devices these days. With Wi-FI available everywhere from cafés to high streets, not to mention the rise of 4G internet, more than ever we’re using these little gadgets to get online.
If you’re a little behind on the times when it comes to picking a smartphone, we’ve done our homework on the best smartphones for whatever your needs, from social media to online shopping and gaming.
Social media
Shameless selfie addicts and status updaters can doubtless choose a better smartphone than the HTC One for all their social media needs. The phone boasts some funky features for those who like to snap at every opportunity, including a camera with its own name – ‘Zoe.’ Dubbed as ‘ultrapixel’ thanks to its low light pixel performance, it’s great for capturing those special moments. What’s more, its Android interface helps to aggregate all your social media and news feeds into one place, so you’ll always have a finger on the pulse.
Gaming
Today, more than ever, mobile gaming has increased in popularity thanks to more choice from sites like Uptown Aces. Improved graphics, faster loading times and better sound effects all make for some big demands on a smartphone, but luckily, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is equipped to deal with all of these. The powerful Snapdragon 800 chip has 3GB RAM, giving gamers the opportunity to multi-task, while its 32GB of storage is ample for storing your precious hours of game play.
Video streaming
With apps like Netflix giving us access to our favourite movies and TV shows 24/7, the last thing today’s smartphone users want is a phone which is badly optimised for video streaming. Thankfully, the T-Mobile G2X is perfect for streaming, thanks to its sharp display and accessibility. The phone features a 4-inch LCD display, guaranteeing a cleaner image with more vivid colours, while it also gives users the chance to play videos on their TV through an HDMI connection.
Online shopping
With online retail sky rocketing in recent years, it’s only natural that today’s smartphones should offer more secure operating systems in order to make sure users are shopping safely. Generally, the iOS system for iPhones is regarded as securer than the Android due to the latter’s open platform. Malware threats are considerably lower for Apple systems, so you may be advised to purchase the iPhone 5S if you want the latest model – or wait a few weeks and get your hands on the highly anticipated iPhone 6.
Belfast City Guide
If you have never been to Belfast before and are planning to go then you will be in for a treat…
Belfast Facts
A thriving city which always has something going on: Belfast is the largest city in Northern Ireland.
Belfast may be a small city but it is big on excitement.
There is a population of only 286,000 in the city of Belfast but what it lacks in size and population it more than makes up for in history, events and fun things to do.
First Thoughts on Belfast
Your first impressions of the city is just how beautiful it is. The accent of the resident will also leave an impression. The Irish accent is know to be beautiful and lyrical, as is the friendliness of the Irish people.
Then there will be so much stuff to do that you won’t know where to start.
If you are a Game of Thrones fan then you are certainly in for a treat as the hit fantasy TV show is filmed in Belfast and the rest of Ireland.
You can take a tour of Titanic Studios in Belfast where it is filmed. You can also take a Game of Thrones location tour and get a picture of yourself sitting on the throne.
For something else that will also inspire a high amount of awe you might want to go for some real-life history and see the Titanic Belfast. Titanic Belfast is the largest Titanic visitor experience in the world. It is situated right beside the real historical site where the world’s most famous doomed ship was constructed. The 6-floor building will also have all of the information you could ever need to know about the Titanic, from her construction to the very tragic end.
Because there is so much to do in Belfast and you will be surprised at just how amazing the city is, the best thing to do is to sort out your accommodation first. Find a good hotel from Hotel Direct before you leave so you can just relax and enjoy the rest of your visit. After you have dropped your stuff off the first thing you should do is grab a guinness. A trip to Ireland is not fully complete until you have tried this famous beverage.
Whats happening in Belfast?
There are also a number of festivals that happen in Belfast throughout the year.
Check ahead before you leave and you won’t miss out.
Festivals range from Red Bull Music Weekend, Sound of Belfast and the Belfast Restaurant Week.
You can take your pick depending on when you visit but there is usually at least a few great festivals or events running in the city. Catch some live music and you might hear the next big thing. A lot of famous artist have come our of Northern Ireland like Snow Patrol, Ash, Van Morrison, Therapy?, The Divine Comedy and The Undertones.
What about food?
You will also have a good choice when it comes to eating out.
There is a substantial amount of good restaurants in Belfast. Try and have a traditional dish like Irish Stew, Colcannon (a traditional Irish dish which generally consists of mashed potatoes with kale or cabbage) or soda bread.
Family fun
There is also plenty of things to do for families. The Belfast Zoo is a good place to start and the W5 interactive science museum will have hours of educational fun to entertain you and your children. For the more sporty and energetic there is the T13 Urban Sports Academy.
Here there is a good range of exciting and sporty things to do: BMX, skateboarding, kick scooter, break dancing, urban art and DJing. Rather handy, the T13 Urban Sports Academy is opposite the Titanic Belfast. So you can catch both star attractions on the same day if you have time.
All in all, Belfast is a wonderful place to visit, not only will it make a good first impression on you, but it will also leave a good lasting one, with wonderful memories and an urge to go back again and again. What are you waiting for?
First Person Lover Avatars On Runway In Björn Borg Show at Fashion Week Stockholm
In impressive caves on an island in Stockholm, Swedish Fashion Brand Björn Borg, in collaboration with Creative Show Director Bea Åkerlund, treated the Fashion Week audience to an extravagant game-inspired runway show. Celebrating individuality, love and fashion in a digital era, the show served as a teaser for the Björn Borg ”First Person Lover” (not shooter!) computer game, releasing worldwide in January 2015 together with the brand’s SS15 collection.
Around 400 gathered to enjoy the brand’s first show on their home market in six years. Eurovision Song contest winner Conchita Wurst flew in to Stockholm to see the show, wearing a custom made Björn Borg body as she entered the show arena.
The Björn Borg SS15 show and collection were inspired by fictional worlds where sport and fashion intertwine in a confident and edgy, yet playful, way. Creative Show Director Be a Åkerlund had First Person Lover inspired projections as a backdrop and all models were wearing masks looking like the avatars of the upcoming game.
“Gaming and digital animation has a great impact on fashion today and we wanted to pick up on this in the collection and show. Bea Åkerlund has caught the idea of our game, to create some more love in the world, in a fantastic way. We are really excited to show a teaser of the collection and the game to the fashion world” said Björn Borg Head of Design James Lee.
The Björn Borg First Person Lover computer game will launch in January 2015 along with the Björn Borg Spring-Summer 2015 collection.
For more on Björn Borg, visit http://www.bjornborg.com
Actresses Deserve Much More Than Being ‘The Girl’ And a Naked One At That
In my other life as an actress I have noticed a worrying trend. Well, I say ‘trend’ but actually it has been going on for years: female parts in films were the character has no name and is called ‘The girl’. The girl is usually the only female part in the film and will also have at least one nude scene. Just because it is not humiliating enough to be offered a script where all of the men have names and you don’t, you also have to get your tits out. Nameless and objectified: actresses deserve better than this. WOMEN KIND deserves better than this.
It is hard to describe just how depressing it is to work in an industry where women are reduced constantly to the sum of their parts and not even named. the worrying thing is that this is a common practice. Upon complaining about this on my Facebook, prominent film maker and casting director Rory O’Donnell said: “This is incredibly common. I made fun of it when I wrote The Landlady and gave all the female characters first, last and nicknames and called the only male character ‘The Boyfriend’….but he did get a name during shooting.” If only there were more people like Rory.
But what is to be done? Well we need more female filmmakers for a start. Here are some highlights from an amazing survey done by Stephen Follows on his must-read blog.
- Between 2009-13, women made up 26.2% of crew members on British films.
- This compares favourably with top US films over the same period (22.2%)
- Of all the departments, the Transportation department is the most male, with only 7.7% women.
- The only departments to have a majority of women are Make-up, Casting, Costume and Production.
- Visual Effects is the largest department on most major movies and yet only has 16.5% women.
- 6.4% of composers on UK films were women.
- 14% of UK films had a female director, compared with 3% of top US films.
- The percentage of women on British films has barely changed in the past five years.
Read more about his survey here. It was in all of the papers so Stephen is truly doing his part for equality. I often get asked why I don’t leave the industry. The truth is I did take a little break. Of course if my agent had called during that period I would have not said no, but it was a quiet period and I took the moment to reflect on my chosen path. One of them anyway. I often think that if I did not have this magazine and did not make my own projects I might go slightly mad. Luckily I do and I can fight instead. I made Prose & Cons which had a strong female cast and I am making more films with my filmmaking partner Steve McAleavy. The way forward is not to quit the industry, not to let these men give our breasts the starring role while our actual talent is just a nameless supporting character: the key is to raise awareness and FIGHT. Get men to join the battle and equal the playing field. Women deserve more and we won’t stop until we get it. The fightback starts here.
Catherine Balavage is a writer, film director, actress and the owner and editor of this magazine. She is also a published author and wrote the book How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming an Actorpreneur which has received rave reviews and is a must for actors everywhere.
Langshott Manor Review | Travel
After our recent marriage my new husband and I spent a wonderful bank holiday weekend at Langshott Manor which we booked via http://secretescapes.com. It was a truly wonderful 16th-century Elizabethan manor house in Surrey. We got a good rate and it included breakfast and a five-course tasting menu.
This is what http://secretescapes.com said:
A 16th-century Elizabethan manor house, complete with red brick walls, casement windows and an ancient moat, Langshott Manor is a real boutique gem. Set within three acres of secret garden near Horley in the heart of sleepy Surrey, you’re just an hour’s drive from the Big Smoke. Slip on your Hunter wellies and get ready for a decidedly stylish country retreat.
The refurbished Mulberry Restaurant is full of nooks and crannies to hide away in. Packed with original features, it has a cosy fireplace and views out across the pristine gardens. The menu is both refined and hearty, with plenty of home-grown produce and local ingredients.
Good to know
Please note that check-in is at 4pm ad check-out is at 11am.
The restaurant’s dress code is smart-casual, which excludes trainers, sportswear and ripped denim.
We like
- The quirky original features in this grand 16th century Elizabethan manor house
- The re-invented Mulberry Restaurant where you can have fabulous gourmet dishes and afternoon tea
- Walking through the grounds to discover the ancient moat and beyond, tranquil countryside
We were very impressed with the food, the service and our room. The grounds were beautiful and relaxing. Ducks played in a pond and even came right up to the restaurant. They were completely adorable. Our room had a four poster bed, a hall and a beautiful bathroom. The food truly is first-class, as good as anything in the best restaurants in London.
We had a wonderful time. Upon checking out we noticed the service charges were quite a lot but, to be fair, the service is impeccable. The papers are not free and will be added to your bill. The nearest train station is Horley. You could take a taxi to the manor house and it won’t cost much. It is also possible to walk as long as you have a good sense of direction or GPS on your phone.
My husband and I have become quite obsessed with http://secretescapes.com since we booked out mini moon and are already working on our next trip.