Tag Archives: Frost Magazine

Britons are prouder of their history, NHS and army than of the Royals.

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While 2012 celebrates the Diamond Jubilee and London hosting the Olympics, it is history that makes people most proud to be British.

A survey commissioned by Channel 4 from Ipsos MORI found that more people (45%) are proud to be British due to the country’s history than they are because of the Royal Family (28%). And more people cite the NHS (37%) and the armed forces (36%) as a source of pride than they do the Royals. British sports teams come in at a lowly 10%. Bringing up the bottom of the table is British business, with only 4%.

Overall, which two or three of the following, would you say makes you most proud to be British?

1. Our history (45%)

2. The NHS (37%)

3. British Army / armed forces (36%)

4. The Royal Family (28%)

5. Our culture and arts (24%)

6. Our system of democracy (22%)

7. Having a free press / media (15%)

8. British sports teams (10%)

9. Our position in the world (5%)

10. British business (4%)

Timed to coincide with, Make Bradford British, a documentary series exploring what it means to be British, the survey also found that a ‘good sense of humour’ (45%) topped the poll when people were asked what are the best characteristics of British people, followed by friendly (34%) and tolerant to all sections of society (30%).

But while being funny may be the best British characteristic, of those surveyed, half (50%) said the worst was drinking too much. Ignorance of other cultures (33%) and complaining too much (23%) were also cited. And a fifth of respondents thought the worst characteristic was being lazy (20%).

Tea topped the poll not only as people’s favourite drink (38%) but also what they thought was the country’s national drink (65%) proving that we are a nation of tea lovers.

While fish and chips is seen as the national dish by four in ten Britons (41%) just one in ten (9%) say it is their favourite food. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding tops the poll as the nation’s favourite dish (33%).

And while 15% enjoy a curry as their meal of choice, only 8% think it’s the national dish.

Make Bradford British continues on Thursday 8 March at 9pm on Channel 4

That’s Grouse: The British Show

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Australian pop artist Linton Meagher reimagines
shell casings, lipsticks and
scalpels in first UK solo show
That’s Grouse
COMODAA, London
Exhibition Dates: 22nd – 29th May, 2012

Adding an evocative twist to the ‘Pop Art’ Genre, Linton Meagher taps the visual potential of
mass-produced objects in his first UK solo exhibition.

“That’s Grouse”.The British Show surveys the cross-media work of Linton Meagher. Showcasing works with
international appeal, “That’s Grouse” The British Show playfully considers the construction of identity, touching upon
motifs in contemporary pop culture.
“That’s Grouse” is an Australian colloquialism referring to something excellent or fantastic: this tongue-in-cheek
exhibition is a mischievous exploration of cultural iconography that’s equally relevant in both Australia and the UK.
Through a painstakingly repetitive artistic practice, Meagher moves familiar, functional objects into the realm of fine
art, encouraging and challenging viewers to question their meaning for contemporary society.
Constructed from hundreds of shotgun cartridges, bullet casings, imitation lipsticks and surgical scalpels,

The marriage of disparate meanings and objects is a theme throughout Meagher’s work and is particularly evident as
repellent objects such as bullets or surgical scalpels are transformed to portray beauty.
Taking inspiration from Jeff Koons’ and Arman’s irreverent approach to art-making materials, Meagher’s practice
often examines a symbolically loaded object, such as a shotgun cartridge (referencing both gun control issues in
Australia and hunting heritage in the UK), and utilises its aesthetic appeal to encourage the viewer to reflect on the
world around them.
“On the surface, these works are just fun, sensual and instantly engaging: with the shotgun cartridge works,
the viewer is initially seduced by the beauty of the piece.
However, it is hard to look past the death implied by all the empty cartridges. They force the viewer to ponder
the economics of the endless pursuit of thrills and beauty. These works are also an extension of the artistic
tradition of exploring mass consumerism and the use of ready-made objects in art.”
Linton Meagher

Exhibition Details:

Dates: 22nd – 29thth May 2012 Private View 6.30pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012
Address: COMODAA
28 Chepstow Place
Notting Hill
London
W2 4XE
Transport:
Bayswater (Circle Line, District Line)
Queensway (Central Line)
Free
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat, 12noon – 9pm
Closed Sun
http://www.comodaa.com

+44 7900 616303
info@comodaa.com Continue reading →

London Fashion Week in Pictures

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I had a ball at London Fashion Week, which you can read about in my Huffington Post blog. I still had some pictures so I have decided to share them even though fashion week is over. The first one is from the opening of Christopher Shannon, the second of TV presenter Jameela Jamil, and the rest of Jasper Conran and Holly Fulton from London Fashion Weekend. I was sitting front row with Keshini and the clothes were amazing. I have always been a fan of Jasper Conran. I would like to thank my amazing fashion writers Keshini, Paloma and Kate. They were amazing during fashion week and wrote some great posts. See you in September.

To see a bigger version of the pictures, click on them.

Christopher Shannon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Desperate Housewives Spoiler: Who Dies?

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Spoiler Alert. Anyone who doesn’t want to know what happens in Desperate Housewives should not read further.

News of the series regular who is to die in an upcoming episode of Desperate Housewives has been revealed after it was let slip in a court hearing between the show creator Marc Cherry and Nicolette Sheridan.

 

 

James Denton’s character Mike Delfino will die. Denton has been a series regular since the show started in 2004 and he plays Teri Hatcher’s husband on the show.

Denton told Entertainment Weekly: “I was really surprised. Any other year, I would have been disappointed, but at this point I figured, well, we made it… As an actor, you just hope people care.”

“I remember lying in the threshold [while filming the scene] with the blood pouring out of me looking up at the top of the porch. I’ve been there for over eight years, and I’ve done so many scenes on that porch… It was a little creepy… It was sort of fitting.”

There will be another six episodes of Desperate Housewives after Denton’s onscreen death in the episode ‘You Take for Granted’.

This season is to the last season of Desperate Housewives.

VEUVE CLICQUOT BUSINESS WOMAN AWARD 2012 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

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Veuve Clicquot announces the shortlist for its Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award at the WIE (Women: Inspiration & Enterprise) 50 Power Breakfast at The London Stock Exchange chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, bringing together shining examples of female entrepreneurship and business success across sectors ranging from fund management to fashion and hospitality. The finalists are, in alphabetical order:

· Anya Hindmarch: Founder, Anya Hindmarch

· Helena Morrissey: CEO, Newton Investment Management

· Ruth Rogers: Chef & Owner, The River Café

Regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of female entrepreneurs and business leaders, the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award, now in its 40th year, celebrates entrepreneurial women who have made a significant contribution to business life in the UK. The Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award nomination criteria are those ideals epitomised by Madame Clicquot: Entrepreneurship, financial success, Corporate Social Responsibility and acting as a role model.

All Finalists selected by the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award judging panel demonstrated the strongest evidence of all nomination criteria. Notable achievements included Helena Morrissey’s groundbreaking 30% Club, which helps champion the issue of women on boards, Anya Hindmarch’s entrepreneurial story and global pioneering of her ‘I am not a plastic bag’ initiative which raised the issue of plastic bag usage amongst the public’s consciousness as well as the government’s agenda, and Ruth Rogers’ steady growing business, changing how we perceive, as well as cook, Italian cuisine.

Carolyn McCall, previous winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award and current Panel member, noted: “The nominees for this year’s award are all great role models and have all the attributes that Veuve Clicquot looks for in its Business Woman Award. This award has played a vital role in recognising and celebrating women in business.”

Sian Westerman, MD of Rothschild and member of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award Panel commented: “This strong shortlist, drawn from an excellent long list, exemplifies what women can achieve in business: strong entrepreneurship and leadership, combined with a desire and ability to deliver real change in society. Spanning areas key to the UK economy of fashion, finance and hospitality, they are great role models for all who aspire to succeed in business.”

The winner of the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award will be announced at a high-profile Champagne reception at The Ballroom at Claridge’s, London on the 18th of April 2012 at 6.30pm.

The Award’s 20-strong judging panel is comprised of business leaders, including Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, easyJet, Jasmine Whitbread, CEO Save the Children, Duncan Bannatyne, Entrepreneur and Dragon, Caroline Michel, CEO, Peters, Frasers and Dunlop as well as Sian Westerman, MD, Rothschild and other key industry experts.

Christina Jesaitis, Senior Brand Manager, Veuve Clicquot said: “As we reach our 40th year of the award, social and environmental responsibility are still a key focus for our judges and this year’s finalists all represent business women that have embedded these important attributes into their organisations. The award also looks for those women that are able to act as more than just an example of a successful business woman, but rather an inspiration and mentor for future female entrepreneurs; we believe that all of our three finalists have demonstrated this quality.”

Created in 1972 as a tribute to Madame Clicquot and now operating in 27 countries, the annual Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award champions the success of business women worldwide who share the same qualities as Madame Clicquot; her enterprising spirit, her courage and the determination necessary to accomplish her aims.

Reel Syria Film Festival 2012

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REEL SYRIA 2012
London
March 15-18

 

Following the successful REEL FESTIVALS 2011: SYRIA, LEBANON, SCOTLAND – a trilateral exchange of contemporary music, film and literature from Syria, Lebanon and Scotland, Reel Festivals returns for its fifth year with Reel Syria 2012, in association with Mosaic Initiative for Syria, supporting Syrian artists and showcasing Syrian culture to a UK audience.

At a time when Syria is engulfed in violent conflict, the festival will present a nuanced portrait of the country and its people. On the anniversary of the uprising, Mosaic Initiative for Syria will also raise funds for Syrians displaced and affected by the current violent crackdown.

Highlights of the festival include a performance of Score 328: SURROUND by ‘The 17’ an international public performance project conceived by artist/author/musician Bill Drummond (KLF). A Syrian film programme by DoxBox including a screening of ‘A Flood in Ba’ath Country’ directed by the late, celebrated Syrian documentary maker Omar Amiralay, an evening panel discussion on creative resistance with guests, including Asian Dub Foundation’s Steve Chandra Savale, Syrian novelists Manhal Alsarraj and Mamdouh Azzam, and other participants TBC. There will also be a fundraising Syrian-style bazaar at Kensington Town Hall.

A major fundraising music concert is scheduled, but at time of going to press, details are still being confirmed. More information will follow shortly

They have a blog that can be read here.

EVENT DETAILS

Thursday 15th March

7:00 pm – Reel Syria in association with Frontline, screening of Syrian documentary film, ‘A Flood in Ba’ath Country’ by Omar Amiralay as part of DoxBox Global Day. Q+A with Syrian Director Reem Ali £10/£8 (Frontline Club, 13 Norfolk Place, W2 1QJ)

Friday 16th March

5:00-7:00 pm – Literary panel discussion and readings – Culture Under Fire: Creative resistance in Syria. Join some of Syria’s best known authors, artists and poets for a discussion of cultural repression and resistance. Featuring: novelist, Manhal Alsarraj, novelist, Mamdouh Azzam, musician Steve Chandra Savale, academic, Donatella Della Ratta + more tbc (Free Word Centre)
8.30-10pm – Screening of Syrian film(s) + Q&A
Free Entry (Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3GA)

Saturday 17th March

4:00 pm – Mosaic Initiative for Syria Fundraising Syrian Bazaar (Kensington Town Hall)
7:00 pm – Art of the Revolution, Mosaic Initiative fundraising concert featuring top Syrian musicians – further programming and price info TBC (Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX)

Sunday 18th March:

1:00 pm – Bill Drummond – ‘SURROUND in Damascus’, a piece of work created for Syria in 2011 by legendary artist and musician Bill Drummond, will now take place in exile in London. 100 volunteers are needed; all will become members of The17, Bill Drummond’s international choir.
To take part, please email surround@reelfestivals.org

DoxBox is Syria’s only independent documentary film festival and has hosted guests such as D.A. Pennebaker, Kim Longinotto, Mark Isaacs and many more. In 2012 it will take place in exile, with a programme of Syrian documentary film. The film aspect of Reel Syria will come from DoxBox.
Reem Ali is one of Syria’s best known contemporary actresses. She is the director of ‘Zabad’, a 2006 searing critique of the Assad regime, subsequently banned in Syria; it premiered at Reel Festivals 2011.

Manhal Alsarraj is an award winning Syrian author. She has published a number of books including Overcoming The Bridge (1997) and As Should Be For The River (2000), which was banned from publication in Syria due to its political connotations. Her most recent novel On My Chest (2007) was published by Cadmus books in Damascus in 2007.

Mamdouh Azzam, is a Syrian novelist, whose works are a damning portrait of life under a dictatorship, as well as being beautiful works of literature. His novel Rain Palace was banned by the Ministry of Culture for religious/political reasons and his latest novel, Women of the Imagination, is a story of a book-obsessed teacher living under the Baathist regime

Steve Chandra Savale, also known by his stage names Chandrasonic and best known for his punk rave aesthetic as the guitarist for the ground-breaking British band Asian Dub Foundation. In 2009, He presented a series of documentaries for Al-Jazeera English called Music of Resistance.

Donatella Della Ratta is an academic specializing in the study of Syrian cultural production at the University of Copenhagen. Author of several articles for leading scholarly journals, she focuses on culture of resistance in Syria and its implications.

Bill Drummond has been the bestselling musician in the world, burnt £1,000,000 as a work of performance art and written a manual on how to have a number one record. His energies are now focused on a choir called The17 and he will be presenting a piece made to take place in Syria during the festival. http://www.the17.org/scores/328,
http://www.penkilnburn.com/events/events.php

 

Reel Festivals was made possible by the generous support of the British Council .

Reel Festivals is a Firefly International project. Firefly is a charity which breaks down barriers through shared creative and cultural dialogue.

Twitter: reelfestivals / Facebook: reelfestivals

Info about Reel Festivals:
http://www.reelfestivals.org/reel-syria/

 

How To Measure Yourself Properly

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Having correct measurements makes it easier to do clothes shopping. Your size could change from shop to shop so you should always have your measurements to hand. Here is how to measure yourself.

It is better to measure yourself in your underwear for a more realistic result. Do not pull the tape measure too tight. It should have some give to it.

Shoulder
Should be done from shoulder to shoulder in a straight line

Head
Measure around your forehead.

Bust.
Your bust measurements should be taken at the fullest part. If you are taken your bra size then you will also have to do under your bust too.

Waist
Your waist is usually the narrowest part of your body, and this is where you should measure. For the majority of women, this is an inch above your belly button. Don’t hold your breath in! It is better to know your actual size. Wearing clothes that are too small for you will just make you look bigger.

Hips
You should measure the fullest part of your hips. The part of which you sit down on usually. Not around the hip bones, which is what most people think.

Inseam
From your groin to your ankle bone. It is better to get a friend to help you with this.

Do not measure yourself around the time you have your period. You will be retaining water and your dress size will be bigger.

Once you have measured yourself put your measurements into this dress size site to see what dress size you are. It does both UK and US sizing.

Perez Hilton's "One Night in Austin" to Benefit The VH1 Save The Music Foundation

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VH1 will donate $1 to VH1 Save The Music Foundation in conjunction with Perez Hilton’s Annual Music Event For Every Check In on Foursquare at Any Music Venue Across the Country

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation has been selected as the benefiting charity of Perez Hilton’s “One Night in Austin” event at South By Southwest on March 17, 2012. Returning to Austin for the fifth consecutive year, this legendary series, produced by The BMF Media Group, will feature performances and DJ sets by an array of today’s top artists (to be announced the weeks leading up the show). There are a limited number of tickets available and can be purchased at $25 (General Admission) and/or $50 (VIP) at www.vh1savethemusic.com/perez. 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and its mission to restore instrumental music education programs in our nation’s public schools.

In conjunction with the event, VH1 will donate $1 to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation throughout the month of March for each check in on Foursquare at any music venue across the country. With each check in, participating individuals will receive the exclusive “VH1 Save The Music” badge. Through these combined efforts, the Foundation can receive up to $50,000 in donations, enough to restore a complete music education program. Users must follow VH1 on Foursquare to unlock the badge and trigger the donation at: https://foursquare.com/vh1.

“We are thrilled to be a part of Perez Hilton’s “One Night in Austin” this year,” said Paul Cothran, Vice President & Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. “With Perez’s help, we will be able to generate a great deal of awareness for our cause, and with the additional fundraising boost provided by VH1 network and Foursquare’s generous promotion, we will be able to ensure that a greater number of children will not be deprived of access to a complete education that includes music.”

Since its inception in 1997, The VH1 Save The Music Foundation has provided more than $48 million in new musical instruments to 1,800 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of over 1.8 million children. Thanks to the generous support of celebrities like Perez Hilton and the VH1 Save The Music Ambassadors, including Katy Perry, Daughtry, Lupe Fiasco, Jordin Sparks, Matthew Morrison, Vanessa Carlton, AJ McLean and Gavin Rossdale, the Foundation is able to generate awareness about the importance of music in a child’s education.

“Music is the answer! For the first time ever, I am going to be selling tickets to my annual SXSW event! These tickets will GUARANTEE entrance to what is always the hottest party in all of Austin. This year, I have decided to donate all of the money raised through ticket sales to The VH1 Save The Music Foundation. It combines two things I am passionate about – music and inspiring youth. I can’t wait!” said Perez Hilton.

Using Perez Hilton’s “One Night in Austin” as the marquee event, fans are encouraged to use Foursquare to check in at various SXSW events as well as any music venue across the country throughout this month. With the support of VH1 and Foursquare and by simply checking in each time you enjoy live music, you can help The VH1 Save The Music Foundation raise needed funds to continue their work in American public schools.

VH1 will also be bringing several new documentaries through its VH1 Rock Doc franchise to SXSW. VH1 News, Tune (VH1 Music Blog) and the “Top 20 Countdown” hosted by Jim Shearer will be sharing highlights of Perez Hilton’s “One Night In Austin.”

For more information or to see how you can get involved, please visit www.vh1savethemusic.com or join The VH1 Save The Music community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vh1savethemusic and on Twitter at @vh1savethemusic.