3RDEARLNEWS

Luck Is An Attitude Global Launch

2011-09-11T19:16:00.000+01:00

LUCK IS AN ATTITUDE is the newly launched brand campaign for a new generation that identifies with the
core values of MARTINI® while staying true to its heritage. It is about living life and daring to be playful.

It was launched to the media in true Italian style on the 7 September at one of Italy's most iconic monuments - The Spanish Steps in Rome. David Gandy, along with global DJ duo, 2manydjs were all present to make it one memorable night.

The experience included an exclusive set from the DJs alongside London's finest DJ Sam Young plus a dramatic stunt involving 100 MARTINI women.

David Gandy, the world’s only male supermodel and who according to MARTINI personifies LUCK IS AN ATTITUDE debuted a talent search on Facebook across sixteen countries called Kisser Casting. This involves kissing ten women for a chance of winning €150,000. The successful candidate will be chosen by a high profile selection panel and will become a worldwide MARTINI® star of its new TV Ad.

Arnaud Meysselle, Julietta Dexter and David Gandy

See www.facebook.com/martini for more information.

Donald Earl

Images by image.net

SPECTOR and GIRLS

2011-09-07T15:35:00.000+01:00

There have been several beautiful songs written this year and these 2 are certainly among the best. "Never Fade Away" by Spector,whose lead singer Frederick Macpherson has been described as "Dalston's Cliff Richard" is the first song and "Vomit" by the California band Girls is the latter. The less i write about this the better.

Please Enjoy.

Freddie Mercury Birthday Auction

2011-09-05T16:00:00.001+01:00

Freddie Mercury's FLASH birthday bash is set to be ‘a unique night of comedy and rock and roll’ as the climax to this year’s Freddie For A Day. The highlight of the night will be an auction to raise funds for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the HIV AIDS charity set-up in his honour by band mates Brian May, Roger Taylor and Queen manager Jim Beach after the singer’s death in 1991.

The bespoke Lotus Evora S headlines the auction alongside fantastic donations from Brian May and Roger Taylor, Top Gear, Raymond Weil, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the West End stage hit ‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’.

The pearl white "MADE IN HEAVEN" Evora S with Freddie Mercury inspired theme represents "a kind of magic" combination from the Lotus Design team: the power and prowess of the critically acclaimed Lotus with the dramatic styling befitting of a British rock legend. Featuring deep red and gold highlights this Evora S is well deserving of Freddie’s autograph which is also included in the scheme.

The exterior body language features a white, red and gold colour scheme inspired by the iconic costume Freddie wore for the 1986 “Magic tour” and features beautiful silver on white iconography. The front fender references the Montreux Freddie memorial statue with the line “Lover of life. Singer of songs” taken from the statue’s inscription.

Inside, the one-off yellow interior, also inspired by Freddie’s 1986 stage costume, includes a union flag on the back of the seats and the incorporation of a crown hints at Freddie’s playful royal role-play. And it goes without saying that the sound system or more specifically the radio, will send the lucky owner GA GA. Sorry.

Brian May had these words to say of Lotus’ participation: “Our friends at Lotus have donated a stunning Evora S for our auction which I know will be a massive fund-raiser for the Mercury Phoenix Trust. We cannot thank them enough for their generous support on what is a very special occasion for everyone who knew and loved Freddie.”

Group Lotus Director of Corporate Operations Gino Rosato said: “We were only too happy to contribute to this fantastic cause. We have created something very special to raise money for Mercury Phoenix Trust and we hope the car goes to a collector who really enjoys it.”

Lotus Elise

Tommy Hilfiger Store Opening

2011-09-05T00:53:00.000+01:00

TOMMY HILFIGER ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF ITS LARGEST FLAGSHIP STORE IN THE UK ON BROMPTON ROAD IN LONDON

The Tommy Hilfiger Group, which is wholly owned by PVH Corp. [NYSE: PVH], is pleased to announce the November 24, 2011 opening of a European flagship store in London’s historic Knightsbridge, at 63-65 Brompton Road, SW3. The store, located amidst a mix of premium retailers in the heart of one of Europe’s most prestigious shopping areas, will be the brand’s third largest store in Europe.

“We are extremely pleased to open a flagship in this important city to showcase the complete world of Tommy Hilfiger,” said Fred Gehring, CEO of Tommy Hilfiger. “The opening in this impressive retail environment provides us with an additional opportunity to position the brand in the market. London is one of the world’s leading cities in retail and Brompton Road offers a unique blend of luxury and more accessible retail, making it the perfect location for our brand. Given the momentum of our business in the UK, this is a natural evolution to deliver on our goal to have a flagship store in all of the capital cities of Europe.”

“I am really excited to open our European flagship store on London’s prestigious Brompton Road,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “Since starting my brand in 1985, prep has been my main inspiration, and as the birthplace of preppy style, England is very close to my heart. London, rich in culture, history and art, is the perfect location for us to anchor our largest UK flagship store, and offer our customers the complete classic American cool Tommy Hilfiger lifestyle.”

As one of London's earliest established fashionable shopping locations, Brompton Road is internationally recognized as a destination for design, architecture and culture, dating back to the Great Exhibition of 1851, after which the impressive shopping streets that make up Knightsbridge were first built. Beyond the flagship’s late Victorian façade, which originates from 1903, the store will reflect the brand’s signature classic, American, cool aesthetic.

Donald Earl

Rhythm of Strings

2011-09-05T00:31:00.001+01:00

Rhythm of Strings
Village Underground on 11^th of September 2011

An exciting night of innovative music, where tradition meets technology, to create an original experience of classical performance and contemporary electronica.

Critically acclaimed experimental music programme Faster Than Sound (a collaboration between Lumin and Aldeburgh Music) presents the London premier of Rhythm of Strings with Seb Rochford, Leafcutter John, Leo Abrahams, Oliver Coates & Max Baillie at Village Underground on the 11/09/11 at 8 pm.

Taking place on 11^th September at Village Underground in East London, the musicians created Rhythm of Strings during an intensive five-day residency at Aldeburgh Music’s new workspace facility space, The Hoffman Building. The performance is a conceptual exploration of the ‘Rhythm of Strings’ and blurs the boundaries between jazz and improvisation, classical and electronic music. This will be the London debut of the project that occurred earlier in March this year at Snape Maltings, home to Aldeburgh Music, where the event won over critics and audiences alike, with its thought provoking and innovative approach to exploring composition through performance and dialogue.

The Artists

Seb Rochford Drummer whose talent crosses all genres, from hip hop and drum and bass to electric jazz and more. He has worked with artists such as Corrine Bailey Rae, Brian Eno and Herbie Hancock. Winner of the BBC Rising Star Jazz award in 2004 and leader of the Mercury-nominated group Polar Bear. Rochford's idiosyncratic compositions will be punctuated by electronics from the enigmatic Leafcutter John.

Leafcutter John
Pioneering songwriter and electronic musician, combining the worlds of computer and folk music and sampling and distorting everyday sounds. Renowned for his remarkable contributions to electronic, folk and experimental music he’s released 5 critically acclaimed albums.  He’s toured extensively performing alongside; Matmos, Nick Cave, Keith Fullerton Whitman, Jarvis Cocker, Yo La Tengo, Grace Jones, Beth Orton, Otomo Yoshihide, Aki Onda, Phillip Jeck, Carsten Nicolai, Tujiko Noriko amongst others. John is also a full time member of the Mercury Music Award nominated contemporary Jazz band Polar Bear.

Leo Abrahams
Multi-talented guitarist / singer / writer / composer whose exceptional talent as a performer and arranger can be heard on recordings by Brian Eno, Starsailor and in Hollywood blockbusters such as Ocean’s Twelve. Leo has worked with many great artists, including David Holmes, Roxy Music, Nick Cave, Marianne Faithfull, Carl Barat, Paolo Nutini, to name a few. He conducted the orchestra at Abbey Road the Starsailor album, supported REM at Red Rocks, and played with Eno at midnight on Mount Fuji. Leo has also found time to record several albums himself and with various band's. The most recent of which "The Unrest Cure" which was released on Island.

Oliver Coates
Widely in demand as a solo cellist, chamber musician, principal cellist with orchestras (Aurora Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Britten Sinfonia) and as a producer and collaborator in new music. He is an Artist in Residence at Southbank Centre. He has played in and developed projects with Seb Rochford, Micachu and the Shapes, Massive Attack, Ben Frost, Mara Carlyle, and others. Oliver has performed concertos and recitals internationally and worked with many reputable contemporary composers (Chris Mayo, Anna Meredith, David Fennessy, Martin Suckling, Nico Muhly, Mica Levi). It is an honor for him to partake in Rhythm of Strings as an essential protagonist of the electronic/ classical genre.

Max Baillie
Extraordinary Violinist and violist who leads a diverse career which includes classical, pop, improvisation, composing and directing. Artists he has worked include American vocalist Bobby McFerrin, Indian tabla master Zakir Hussain, composer Krzysztof Penderecki, pop superstar Tinie Tempah and others. Max has appeared on stages from Carnegie Hall to Glastonbury from Mali to Moscow, and plays regularly for TV and radio broadcast.

Event Flyer

London College Of Fashion opens College Shop

2011-08-21T21:30:00.000+01:00

London College of Fashion is proud to announce the opening of COLLEGE SHOP, its first ever pop up retail space in the heart of the West End; located in Kingly Court, a haven of independent shops, just off London’s famous Carnaby Street.

Launching on Thursday 8 September 2011, in the lead up to London Fashion Week, it will run for just over two weeks, stocking unique and one-off creations by its legion of multi-talented alumni.

In a boutique gallery setting shoppers will be able to pick luxury, affordable pieces by future design stars.
Stock will rotate daily allowing clients to discover beautiful one-off designs from recent graduates in womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories, jewellery, fashion photography and illustration alongside more established LCF graduates from the last 5 years including hot young designers William Tempest, Ada Zanditon, Beatrice Boyle and Hasan Hejazi.

Black dress by Liz Black, Necklace by Alice Bastin

Cream top with safety pin details and beige trousers (just seen) by Ya-Chiao (Rexy) Sung

Gold Fox Fur Jacket by Alice Bastin, Maroon Pencil Skirt by Yelena Loguiiko, Black Bag by Varud Jotikasthira.jpg

Navy Gingham shirt and Orange leather skirt by Silvia Timborova

Silver Bodysuit by Louis Heal, Necklace by Alice Bastin

White Dress by Liz Black, Clutch by Varud Jotikisthira

Vintage print Shirt and blue & black print Skirt by John Brunswick

Distracting The Colour by Russell Scott Skinner

2011-08-21T20:48:00.000+01:00

Russell Scott-Skinner has been hailed as one of the most exciting surrealist painters in the UK. On 28th July 2011, Russell hosted an exclusive, invitation only private view of his inaugural exhibition at gallery@oxo on London's South Bank. The evening provided art critics, curators and celebrities the opportunity to view his latest collection, "Distracting the Colour", for the first time.

The exhibition opened to the public with free admission from 29th July to 14th August where art enthusiasts were able to see Russell paint live in the main window, offering a rare insight into his unique and visual style. In the last two years, Russell has seen private sales and commissions flourish as his work gains recognition in the mainstream.

Throughout the exhibition, Russell raised money for the charity Beatbullying, giving people the opportunity to bid on one of his original paintings via a silent auction. All proceeds from the winning bid went directly to the charity.

Video of Russell at work

NoFit State at Eden Project

2011-06-14T18:54:00.000+01:00

An amazing new show by critically-acclaimed circus company NoFit State is the main event at Cornwall's Eden Project this summer holiday.

Labyrinth, which is being created especially for Eden's stunning setting, will blend jaw-dropping aerial acrobatics with surreal circus stunts and live music and dance. Using the entire project as a stage, top circus performers from around the world will move among the audience and overhead on flying trapezes, swings, cradles, tightwires and hoops.

This will be the first time Eden has hosted an evening show throughout the summer holidays and Labyrinth has been created especially to mark the project's 10th birthday. Hailed as the future of British circus, NoFit State are described as "Cirque du Soleil without the Disney and the disinfectant."

Donald Earl

Christina Economou wows Graduate Fashion Week

2011-06-14T15:32:00.000+01:00

Istituto Marangoni took part in Graduate Fashion Week for the first time in the show's 20 year history and they justified their inclusion when Christina Economou from their Paris school scooped the International Show Award. The award given to the best International show had another finalist Hang Li Xuan also from the Milan school in the final 3.

Christina's collection was viewed by the likes of Harold Tillman, Hillary Alexander, Karen Millen and several of the recognisable British fashion names who were ever so impressed with her collection. Judged by these images who an doubt them.

Donald Earl

Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration

2011-06-14T13:47:00.000+01:00

Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II will mark her 60 years on the throne with several celebrations across the UK and it is quite fitting that this reign will be portrayed in Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration to be exhibited at the V&A.

The exhibition will depict The Queen in her roles as princess, monarch and mother and include a number of photographs never before seen, as well as excerpts from Beaton’s diaries and letters.

V&A Publishing has produced a hardback book to accompany the exhibition authored by Susanna Brown, with contributions from Sir Roy Strong and Mario Testino.

For advance bookings visit www.vam.ac.uk (booking fee applies) or call 020 7907 7073

Donald Earl

London College Of Fashion Graduate Fashion Week 2011

2011-06-09T02:09:00.000+01:00

London College Of Fashion held its annual Graduate Fashion Week show yesterday 7/6/2011 with some remarkable collections on display.
This year was the first to be held at the new and outstanding venue "The Studio" in central London. The superb surroundings, excellent facilities and the sheer size of the venue clearly impressed several, if not all the guests with one leading fashionista asking to be considered for next year's event.

The show itself, which was screened live at www.fashion.arts.ac.uk/2011/live was pulsating, colourful and well organised with the staff as charming as ever.

With regards to the awards, The Barnett Lawson Award for Best Use of Trimmings went to Charlotte Barry from Liverpool, who was praised for her incredible detailing.

Charlotte Barry

Stine Riis

The Biddle Sawyer Silks Award went to Stine Riis from Copenhagen for her innovative use of silk with wool, chiffon and patent leather.

Collection of the Year, the most prestigious award of the night was awarded to Nova Chiu from Hong Kong who was judged to have phenomenal technical skill and creative flair.

Nova Chiu

Based on the fabulous collections on display, it is fair to say that all the designers were winners on the night and one will hope to see their works gracing several well known figures and publications in the future.

The rest of the pictures including my personal favourites;

Belle Amie

Misty Miller

Daisy De Villeneuve

Jo Wood

Ya Chiao (Rexy Sung)

Angela Brandys

Donald Earl

Uniqlo For Japan Tees

2011-05-29T05:15:00.000+01:00

Uniqlo, the Japanese casual wear designer have teamed up with several famous faces to design tees for charity.
After the dreadful Japanese disaster, the company came up with the idea with Conde Nast Japan and it was decided to release these items towards the end of June (25 June 2011 is current set date).

These are the pictures of the final tees;

Alber Elbaz

Blake Lively

Charlize Theron

Cyndi Lauper

Gwyneth Paltrow

Karl Lagerfeld

Lady Gaga

Nicole Kidman

Orlando Bloom

Victoria Beckham

Van Gogh's Dark Arts

2011-03-24T08:50:00.000Z

Van Gogh's work are getting darker it seems. Fear not fans they haven't suddenly turned overly disturbing or unsettling.
This problems stems from a chemical reaction darkening some of his brightest paintings. This was discovered by researchers in belgium and explained in the reuters video below.

Oscars Outfit Watch

2011-03-01T03:57:00.002Z

It wasn't just the King's speech the other oscar nominees had to worry about, there was the case of looking your immaculate best for one of the most prestigious events of the year. There were very rare misses this year and they did stand out like Cate Blanchett's "vomcano" inducing dress.
However celebrities like Anne Hathaway and Sandra Bullock, who joined the red gown brigade looked stunning in their respective Valentino and Vera wang strapless gowns. Others like Halle Berry, Hilary swank, penelope cruz etc who opted for the more complicated dresses were still a bit behind in the best dressed stakes.
Overall it was an exceptionally successful "event catwalk" so i decided to put up the 3 outfits i thought stole the show.

No 3 - Florence Welch wore the beautiful cream lace valentino couture gown with typically superb valentino embroidery and just like the others in my top 5 compliments it with the single ring adding to the super feminine look.

No 2 - Blue valentine actress Michelle Williams was looking stunning in her silver beaded chanel dress. This was extremely fancy but looked remarkably comfortable and worked well with her trendy pixie hair do.

Winner - Gwyneth Paltrow's gorgeous sleek and shimmery column dress just edged it as my favourite of the night. She pulled it off extremely well with her subtle jewellery choice. The outfit fitted her to perfection.

Donald Earl

Cornbury Festival

2011-02-28T02:42:00.000Z

What makes a music festival feel truly great? If the line up boasts rock legends, pop idols, soul sensations, surprise guests, national treasures, folk favourites, guilty pleasures, rockabilly revivalists and just a little bit of gentle English eccentricity then you can be certain you’re onto a winner.

This year’s Cornbury Festival has all this and more and is gearing up to be one of the hottest tickets of the summer, especially as the Saturday night headliner is the newly reunited Faces, featuring original members Ronnie Wood, Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan with vocalist Mick Hucknall. This is their only festival appearance in the UK this summer. More legends will be appearing, in the shape of national treasure Ray Davies, 1980s pop legend Cyndi Lauper, the one and only Status Quo and Buffy Sainte Marie.

The new guard is equally strongly represented with: international troubadour James Blunt; the real star of the 2009 X Factor, Olly Murs; Irish superstar Imelda May; and pop princess Eliza Doolittle. Also appearing are folk heroes Bellowhead, disco diva Sophie Ellis Bextor, and perfect Californian popsters The Like.

It’s always good to know many of the people appearing, but a little bit of excited anticipation helps a festival go with a swing - so Sunday afternoon’s line-up will also feature the new secret slot. It’s going to be a very welcome appearance by a legendary band - but that’s all we can say for now!

This will be Cornbury’s 8th year but its first at a new site. The festival has moved to the beautiful village of Great Tew. Nestling in the rolling hills of the Cotswold countryside, the Great Tew Estate is one of Oxfordshire’s most beautiful and ancient sites.

‘It’s been a particularly long road getting to our new home but we’re very excited to be here’ says festival director Hugh Phillimore. ‘We’re proud to present what we think is our best line-up ever’

Cornbury Festival is one of the UK’s ‘cleanest, cosiest’ boutique festivals. It’s very family-orientated, with something for everyone. A quintessentially English festival, it maintains a good natured, inclusive, eclectic and slightly eccentric atmosphere with echoes of an old country fayre or a funky farmer’s market selling lots of fresh rock ‘n’ roll.

2010 Venice Carnival Wins Most Outstanding Spectacle Award

2011-02-28T02:21:00.000Z

The 2010 Venice Carnival received the prestigious award “Most Outstanding Spectacle” during the Gala Award Ceremony at the Special Event Awards 2011 held at the Phoenix Convention Center.

The Venice Carnival was once again widely recognized as the most sophisticated and famous carnival worldwide thanks to the Sensation format “ Sensation: 6 sensi per 6 sestrieri ” created by Marco Balich for Venezia Marketing & Eventi and produced by K-events in order to re-launch the Venetian event. The 2010 Venice Carnival drew over a million people and was the most crowded in the last 13 years.

The Carnival became an extraordinary multi sensorial experience thanks to a perfect combination of arts, music, magic and colors suspended in time and space.

In the year 2010 more than 340 shows were performed over the course of 11 days: street shows, installations, exhibitions, plus cultural and gastronomic initiatives. 270 accredited journalists attended, 96 of them being foreigners coming from 23 different countries.

Since 1986 the American award has recognized the finest work in special events worldwide. The 2011 Edition received nearly 300 entries in 34 categories from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United States of America.

Members of the Special Events Magazine Advisory Board, made up of leaders in the event profession, spent two days in October at the magazine’s offices in Pacific Palisades (Los Angeles), California, to select the 111 finalists.

Marco Balich President of K-events says “I am very proud that the 2010 Venice Carnival received an award as prestigious as the Special Event. I would like to thank Venezia Marketing & Eventi. They allowed me to work for such an incredible event as Artistic Director and they always believed in the Sensation format I created.”

2011 Predictions

2010-12-27T23:22:00.001Z

Do forgive me for the lazy nature of this piece but i do stand by the content/my predictions so enjoy.

FASHION

Spring/summer 2011 is all about the print baby; floral, geometric, animal, you name it. If it's the dresses you're in luck as the collections being lined up by the high street is bound to keep you satisfied. Trousers however are a particularly tricky option so expect some difficulty in finding that killer one.

The alternate to this spring/summer look is bold/colourful if indeed you are feeling that bold, else i strongly disapprove even an attempt at it. You either go full on with fantastic hues to compliment it and perhaps invest in one of the new Nails Inc collection and the Côte D’Azur range by chanel to complete the look. Accessories this season must follow this trend and you can help yourself decide this by applying the same decision as you would do with your summer swimwear colour choices. Nothing dour please!

Gents, i personally believe tweed and colourful chinos (blue, red and coffee brown/khaki) should always be in the collection during spring/summer so next year should be no different.
Brown brogues are also imperative. A message for those of you still in those combat boots, that was a mistake, it's over now, you're forgiven, brogues are back to replace them. Suede ones will get you additional points as leather has dominated the market for too long. Go out there and be smart: your parents, girls and guys and your employers love smart so to coincide with the probable/imminent good weather over that period bring the sunshine to them early with that smart look.
Lose the loafers for some Nike air max light's or Nike air max 1's if you need to work it with the trainer look.
Very few trainers can work that look as good as the above mentioned ones.

In other news, whoever is chosen to replace French Vogue fashion editor Carine roitfeld has their work cut out so suggestions linking current fashion director Emanuelle Alt to the position may just be right because she has after all spent nearly 10 years under Carine, has extensive knowledge of the magazine and their audience and perhaps vogue may feel she can perform both roles efficiently which will aid in their cost cutting measures as contrary to popular belief Carine was actually fired.

SPORT - FOOTBALL

The premier league has been the closest in years and i'm expecting arsenal to remain 2nd with 5 points behind manchester united in 1st place and chelsea in 3rd by early march and then the fireworks will really begin to see who maintains that level of consistency required to win the league.
Arsenal should comfortably win the carling cup which will also inspire them for the fa cup, where i see them getting to the quarter finals at least and IF they do not face a top 4 team, will ease into the semis.

The FA CUP and the PREMIER LEAGUE will be with 2 different teams next year and the champions league will NOT be won by an english club. Real madrid are my tip to win it if they do not face barcelona before the final and if Ronaldo and Alonso stay fit.

My prediction
Premier league - Chelsea or Manchester United
FA Cup - Chelsea or Manchester united
Carling cup - Arsenal
Champions league - Real madrid or Barcelona

MUSIC

I expect good things from nearly every girl's favourite girl of the moment Jessie J, a top 10.

Cher Loyd's first single will be well produced and you will be forced to like it, Number 1 guaranteed.

Kanye will NOT get a UK number one despite rave album reviews etc.

Rihanna however will get 2 top 5 chartings before the year ends.

Bruno Mars and Drake will also have successful years.

For all you in the cool/wanna be different/alternative set out there, watch out for SMITH WESTERNS, whose music i was introduced to by the "transparent records" team and have been carefully monitoring their progress and also YUCK, who are half of one of the acts i harped on about for years; Cajun Dance Party.

Wiley and Giggs will be prominent, however i would like to suggest to Wiley not to ever record such drivel with Alesha Dixon again whereas Giggs needs to lay off the weed and get some tracks out.

Magnetic man is here to stay so keep tabs on them including their upcoming collaborations with several acts on this scene.

FILMS

My Top 5 to look out for;

Pirates of the caribbean on stranger tides.
The Hobbit part 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Harrows part 2
The adventures of Tintin, the secret of the unicorn
The Avengers

Guilty PLEASURE is "sucker punch"; hot, scantily clad girls fighting dragons, very evil guys and the awful conditions to still maintain their immaculate good looks. This film is just going to be ridiculously entertaining for all the wrong reasons! MUST SEE!

Any additions are most welcome.

Thanks

Surface Festival

2010-10-25T13:15:00.000+01:00

In 2011 the Surface Festival will be organising over 500 shows across 14 cities in the UK and Europe. Shows will take place in London, Portsmouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea, Birmingham, Nottingham, Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Barcelona and Budapest.

The climax of the Festival will culminate with 21 bands playing the IndigO2 at the O2 Complex - a venue which has seen acts such as Jools Holland, Timbaland, Joss Stone and Estelle to name a few. Dominic Nicholls, music photographer, explains “Surface gives bands the chance to play the type of venues that most bands only dream of when they've 'made it' - add to the expertise Surface offers in terms of lighting and sound management, PR and exposure and you're looking at an opportunity that's too good to miss”.

The main focus of a band should be live performance. The sweaty, loud and beer saturated venues across Britain are where bands are born and it’s this aspect that the Surface Festival is focused on keeping alive. Other venues Surface will be using include the O2 Academy Main stage in Birmingham and Bristol, the Dome in London, the Manchester Academy and Oxford Academy. Nights are set out by genre providing opportunities for bands and artists to gain exposure from new audiences, sell merchandise, promote networking opportunities and attract new fans. For a list of testimonials from bands that have played the Surface Festival check out: http://www.surfacefestival.com/testimonials.html

The Surface Festival works in association with 24 international sponsors that cover all bases for a band. “Marshall Amplification are extremely excited to be working with the Surface Festival for 2011. This event is truly inspiring for all involved” - Marshall Amplification. For a further list of sponsors see http://www.surfacefestival.com/sponsors.html

With a prize pot of £100,000 including a slot at Sziget Festival 2011, bands and artists get the opportunity to progress further in the music industry. “The prizes offered for the winning band and runners up are just fantastic and the experience all the bands gain from playing larger venues is priceless” - Alex Baker; Kerrang Radio Unsigned show.

The Surface Festival Committee consists of a panel of music industry representatives who will have the privilege of seeing the very best acts from around the UK and Europe that will appear at the National Showcase at the o2. Judge Alex Baker says that “the show this year was very hard to judge; amazing stage shows, amazing songs, amazing bands – congratulations to Great Imitation who blew everyone’s minds, a much deserved win!”

Surface Festival takes bands at grass roots level and brings them through a journey culminating in an industry showcase. The quality of the sponsors, judges and management lends colossal credibility to this event and should be a breath of fresh air to all bands and artists in the UK. In an uncertain time, where longevity and sustainability is rare in today’s music industry the Surface Festival can be exemplified as a solid force for good, offering some amazing opportunities to bands. Working together with key industry bodies and organizations is paramount to developing a model that is fair for everyone – the promoters, the venues, the fans and most importantly the bands taking part and the experience and value they get from playing the live shows.

“The Surface Festival was a fantastic experience for us, an unforgettable journey through many rounds at different venues. The ultimate prize and ultimate goal was to perform at the IndigO2. The chance to play at this incredible venue gave you a real sense of achievement and a wonderful feeling that will stay with us for a long time. The Surface crew were helpful, friendly and always very supportive which made the whole experience just that little bit better. Thank you guys for an amazing opportunity.” Loaded Dice.

For more info and to sign up see Surface Festival

Rainforest Foundation 12 Days Of Christmas

2010-10-24T20:20:00.001+01:00

The Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) will be hosting an amazing online auction event called 12 Days of Christmas which will include an array of very desirable gift items available to online bidders wanting to score hot gift items for their friends and family while helping a good cause. Auction lots have been generously donated by celebrities, luxury labels and big name brands who want to help raise money to protect the world’s rainforests.

More than 120 items have already been donated with more arriving at the RFUK offices each day and it’s hoped 200 fabulous guilt-free gifts will be online for the pre-Christmas sale. Amongst the goodies for auction will be:

Signed items from Dame Judi Dench, Sting, Russell Brand and Kylie Minogue

Tea for Two with Zac Goldsmith MP at the House of Commons plus signed copies of his book.

Dresses from Giles Deacon, Jaeger, House of Bilimoria and many others (some from their not-yet-available Spring 2011 collections)

Clothing from Cynthia Steffe, LNA, Ashish, Ewa i Walla, Mary Katrantzou and more

A stunning beaded gown by Jenny Packham, favourite of Kylie Minogue, Heid Klum and Eva Longoria-Parker

New season Bvlgari handbag generously donated by Fran Cutler

Autographed cookbooks from Michelin-starred chefs

Travel items from luxury leather goods brand, Aspinal of London

Gig tickets, music & merchandise items from the likes of Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, Camden Crawl, Ninja Tunes, Hospital Records and many others

Perfumes and scented items from Vivienne Westwood, Boudicca, Miller Harris & The Body Shop

Stunning throw cushions and luxury over gloves from Mulberry

Impossible to book haircuts and exclusive products from the professionals at TiGi.

Wine from the biodynamic champions at Chateau Marais.

So, how does it work?
All lots will preview on the Rainforest Foundation UK website – www.rainforestfoundationuk.org – for 2 days, November 22 and 23.
Then the online auction for each item will become live on November 24 from the RFUK 12 Days Pop-Up Shop at eBay (www.ebay.co.uk/12days).
Bidding on all items will cease on Friday December 3.

And to guarantee these joyous lots can make their way under the Christmas tree in time, all items will be shipped by December 8.
This auction will raise vital funds for the protection of the world’s rainforests, and give generous bidders the warm glow of shopping to help charity and no doubt some serious love in response to their amazing present giving come the big day!

The Koreans Are Coming

2010-08-20T10:55:00.000+01:00

The face of musical theatre in London is set to change as a Korean theatre company arrives in the city next month to perform an epic spectacular that fuses Eastern and Western cultures.
The Hyundai Theatre Company performed ‘Another Sun’ in New York last year on the anniversary of 9/11 and it is due to play in London, on August 27 and 28 with three free performances.
Musician and conductor Joseph A Baker, who first worked on Broadway with David Cassidy in Blood Brothers, and whose credits include Wicked, Lion King and Starlight Express, says he has never been so excited about a musical production.

Joseph, who is the show’s musical conductor, is working alongside Another Sun’s Korean director Kim, Jin Young, and production supervisor Jeff Markowitz, who like Joseph boasts impressive Broadway credentials.
The orchestra will include traditional Korean musical instruments such as the Daegum and Haegum that will give the production a unique sound for Western audiences and the dance scenes will reflect Korean martial arts fused with the best of Broadway.
Joseph A Baker said: “When I started on this project in Seoul I didn’t know anything about Korean audiences. I found they were sophisticated and they want genuine feelings and emotions in the play, not something overdone and fake.

“What Hyundai Theatre Company has done is to knock down the walls of the traditional musical, such as Phantom of the Opera, and to bring a new merger of Western and Asian philosophies into one stunning piece.

“The work of all the various departments that come together to create a musical: lighting, set design, videography, choreography, costume design, musicians, actors and backstage crew are equal to any other theatre company in the world and certainly the equal of Broadway.

“The fact the musical is based on Korean history made it easier for me because here was something uniquely Korean I could add to, not have to build from scratch! I was able to learn about traditional Korean music and give it a slight variation so it sounds neither too Western nor too modern.”
Another Sun is scored by Jah Eun Lee, arranged and conducted by Joseph A. Baker with veteran Korean actor Kim, Sung-Won, playing the lead role of Dangun, with the mythical Goddess Mago character played by Woo, Sang-Min.
Another Sun will be performed at Sadler’s Wells Theatre at 8pm on Friday, August 27, and at 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm on Saturday, August 28.

Wedge Wellies For Theo

2010-08-20T10:37:00.000+01:00

Fashion footwear entrepreneurs from Hull – the WedgeWelly Family, received a whopping £65,000 investment from the formidable retail guru Theo Paphitis in exchange for a 25 per cent share of the business, as witnessed on BBC Two Dragons’ Den.

WedgeWelly Ltd is the world leader in practical yet fashionable wellies for women, they are stylish, colourful and include a patented wedge heel. Every WedgeWelly is made with fashion and comfort in mind and the idea was the brainchild of company directors Mike and Sarah Longthorn and Laura Booth. All visited the V Festival together two years ago and decided that a 2½ inch heel provided the precise comfort and elevation needed to enjoy a field-based event.

The company obtained a Design Registration for Europe and UK Trademark, which means that they have design rights to the wedge feature in welly-style boots.

Theo Paphitis said, “I found the enthusiastic team at Wedge Welly an inspiration and believe that the business has great potential. When making an investment, the people are more important than the product. The great benefit in this case is that they also have a very exciting product that is well-designed to be both practical and stylish.”

Each boot design has been rigorously road tested and has received critical acclaim from fashion conscious festival goers nationwide who want colourful style combined with comfort. The WedgeWelly boot is the company’s flagship product and comes in two styles – WedgeWelly Unique (the standard fit boot) and WedgeWelly Curve (offering a wider fitting).

The WedgeWelly Family impressed all five Dragons but it was Theo’s deal that won.

Sarah Longthorn, WedgeWelly’s Managing Director (a.k.a. The WISE One) said, “We were overwhelmed with the response we received from the Dragons and we are delighted to receive Theo’s offer. He was always our first choice of investor due to his comprehensive expertise in the retail arena and we consider it an honour to have him on board.”

For more information about WedgeWelly Ltd please visit Wedge Welly

Pup Aid With Liam Gallagher

2010-08-20T10:18:00.000+01:00

Oasis lead-singer Liam Gallagher signed a classic Epiphone Casino guitar with All Saints wife Nicole Appleton, their Dachshund 'Ruby Tuesday' and TV vet Marc Abraham in the Gibson Guitar Showroom in Central London to launch PUP AID 2010 - the UK's first charity boutique music festival and fun celebrity-judged dog show.

PUP AID 2010 - taking place in Brighton on Sept 19th - aims to raise awareness about the cruel industry of puppy farming - basically the battery farming of dogs in the UK purely for profit.
Marc, who’s the resident vet on ITV's This Morning and Sky1's My Pet Shame, commented: "As a massive Oasis fan I'm honoured Liam and Nicole are involved and helping me to promote dog welfare as well as raising much-needed funds for both rescue and the research into the health and happiness of all dogs."
Marc advises that: "People looking for a dog should always approach the Kennel Club for their list of Accredited Breeders or consider adopting from a rescue shelter instead. Never buy pups online, from pet shops or free newspaper ads, as these are usually farmed pups which - if they survive the first few days - will often develop severe behavioural and/or medical problems that can often be both impossible and expensive to fix - leading to pain and suffering as well as family heartbreak. Always insist on seeing the pup interacting with it's mother and beware of scams. Please remember that you may think you're 'rescuing' the pup - but its mother's still suffering and now must produce another pup you've just made room for."

This uniquely signed Epiphone Casino guitar will now do a tour of the festivals to gain even more legendary dog-loving signatures and will finally be auctioned at the PUP AID 2010 event with monies raised going to Dogs Trust, Kennel Club Charitable Trust, and Oldies Club - a small charity dedicated to the re-homing of older unwanted dogs.
To register for updates about the auction of the guitar, for more information about PUP AID 2010 and to book your tickets visit The Pet

Cézanne’s Card Players

2010-08-20T10:07:00.000+01:00

Paul Cézanne’s famous paintings of peasant card players and pipe smokers have long been considered to be among his most iconic and powerful works. This landmark exhibition, organised by The Courtauld Gallery in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, will be the first to focus on this group of masterpieces. Described by Cézanne’s early biographer, Gustav Coquiot, as being “equal to the most beautiful works of art in the world”, this will be a unique opportunity to enjoy these remarkable paintings in unprecedented depth. The exhibition will bring together the most comprehensive group of these works ever staged, including three of the card player paintings, five of the most outstanding peasant portraits and the majority of the exquisite preparatory drawings, watercolours and oil studies.
The first mention of the card player series comes in 1891 when the writer Paul Alexis visited Cézanne’s studio in Aix-en-Provence and found the artist painting a local peasant from the farm on his estate, the Jas de Bouffan. A number of different farm workers came to sit for him during these years, often smoking their clay pipes. They included an old gardener known as le père Alexandre and Paulin Paulet, who posed as the figure seated on the left in The Card Players, a task for which he was paid five francs. Cézanne’s depictions of card players would prove to be one of his most ambitious projects and occupied him for several years. It resulted in five closely related canvases of different sizes showing the men seated at a rustic table playing cards, including versions from The Courtauld Gallery, the Metropolitan Museumand the Musée d’Orsay. Alongside these he produced a larger number of paintings of the individual farm workers who appear in the card player compositions, major examples of which will be reunited from the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, the Pushkin Museum, Moscow, together with The Courtauld’s Man with a Pipe.

Shiri Zinn Bares It All

2010-05-10T04:50:00.002+01:00

With Roxxxy the sex robot causing a stir (forgive my pun) in sex focused homes, rich single parents and perhaps who knows prisoners’ cells if a deal can be brokered, at a price more than most illegal brides are bought for, it seems the sex industry is not just about “quick slams” anymore but rather engaging individual users feelings and an appreciation of all the elements that encompass the love making process in the 21st century. London Fashion Week welcomed Shiri Zinn, the sex toy maker, whose work contained “ceramic toys of erotic luxury” and “diamond studded erotic glass toys”.

She graduated from the highly acclaimed Central St Martin’s and has since had her work exhibited in Japan at the Louis Vuitton building alongside other works, has won the International erotic award and has had the late body shop owner Anita Roddick’s daughter Sam’s team backing her.

Several ladies gather around her questioning her exciting motives as I browse through her beautifully crafted range and admire the brilliant workmanship from the toys and ornaments to the whips and outfits. There are a variety of colours and sizes to appease all tastes like the website suggests.

This collection knows its target audience and if it is a designer sex toy which looks like an impressive piece of collectable sex art piece you’re after and you can fork out just under a hundred pounds for it, then it is a very good investment but if like most sexually active individuals you prefer the excitement of just finding a way of getting “the job” done quickly and not spending time admiring your “equipment” then perhaps sadly this isn’t for you.

Donald Earl

Holly Bostock The Flower Maker

2010-05-07T14:46:00.006+01:00

This summer it’s all about flower hair accessories. Whether you prefer alice bands, elastic bands, hair slides or butterfly clips, they’re all in this summer so long as they have that floral touch.
Now, you could wander down to the high street and easily pick up several of these must-have accessories, but let’s face it, they’re made on a production-line, stuck together with cheap glue, cost too much and, most importantly, lack any personal charm. What you need is a truly individual, entirely hand-made, Beau Stock flower.

All Beau Stock creations are designed and made by Holly Bostock, a student from London. Carefully selected materials are combined and sewn together for a beautiful finish at a much more competitive price than the high street alternatives. For a year her flowers have been going down a storm at the trendy Brick Lane markets and now it’s time for you to get in on the action.

Beau Stock offers you the opportunity to design your own flower accessories, from selecting the accessory (slide, elastic, tie...) to choosing the colours you know suit your style and wardrobe. This summer sees several colour ranges in fashion, from ethereal and nautical, to pastels and vibrant jewel colours, the choice is enormous.

With the drop of an email your personalized flower can become a reality, and you’ll never find anyone wearing the same all summer long!

Visit the website: www.beaustock.co.uk
Email Holly: info@beaustock.co.uk

Donald Earl

Kim Il Mode

2010-04-12T01:03:00.003+01:00

Fashion has always been perceived differently in all cultures and countries and perhaps there is yet to be a universal "cool" for both fashion houses and their customers/clients.
We may get outrageous icons like zsa zsa gabor, lady gaga, michael jackson, madonna, pink etc but never have they been universally acknowledged as cool but it seems North Korea may be the first country to sort this lack of recognition out, thanks to their dictator Kim Jong "ILL" (pardon my urban talk)

The TIME website which previously awarded him the 2nd worst dressed world leader better sit back and take notice as the communist newspaper Rodong Sinmun said his modest suits have been causing a fashion furore worldwide. "The reason is that the august image of the Great General, who is always wearing the modest suit while working, leaves a deep impression on people's mind in the world," it said.
A mystery French designer was said to have also claimed "Kim Jong-Il mode which is now spreading expeditiously worldwide is something unprecedented in the world's history.

Well it seems all eyes shall clearly be on designers at the next installation of Fashion week's all over the world to recapture that dashing grey zip up couture wear and who knows throw on those 5 inch platform shoes he wears and gangsta shades for the full "IL MODE" effect. "IL MODE" may not be your thing yet but if you're one of the lucky few to be invited into NK, please make sure you invest in one of the finest you can lay hands on.

Donald Earl

The Dream Exhibition?

2010-04-08T03:02:00.008+01:00

This should have been my dream exhibition. Alas, I left feeling rather unfulfilled and upset. To be honest, I had very high expectations. I wanted to see Michelangelo drawings (and lots of them) in an exciting display, which would indulge my Michelangelo passion for hours. However, upon entering the grey and dreary room at the top of the Courtauld Gallery my heart sank. Nonetheless, one should not let atmospheric concerns distract from the masterful skill and beauty of Michelangelo’s creations.

The exhibition was centred around Michelangelo’s drawing Il Sogno (The Dream), executed in c.1533 as a presentation drawing for one of his close friends. Most likely it was made for Tommaso de’ Cavalieri, the young Roman noble whose beauty and intellect captured Michelangelo’s heart. The drawings elusive content encourages personal interpretation, for it is not based on any particular text or legend. The image shows an idealised, nude male reclining on a globe which rests on a plinth filled with masks. Dreamlike figures (traditionally linked with the vices) surround him as a naked winged-spirit descends sounding his trumpet and awakening the youth from his illusions of earthly vices. The drawing is a superb example of Michelangelo’s talent of observing and reconstructing the male form and charging it with his deeply personal neo-platonic beliefs on beauty, love, the soul and the divine. No criticism can ever be levied against Michelangelo’s outstanding artistic ability, and thus I can only quip about the piece’s presentation. As the highlight of the exhibition, this phenomenal drawing should have been afforded greater significance; instead, I stumbled across it as I made my way around the room in a circular motion seven pictures in.

Alongside Il Sogno, the exhibition displays four other celebrated presentation drawings given to Cavalieri by Michelangelo at around the same time; The Punishment of Tityus, The Fall of Phaeton, A Bacchanal of Children and The Rape of Ganymede. The most exceptional of these is The Fall of Phaeton (1533) on loan from the Royal Collection. The pyramidal composition is surmounted by the figure of Jupiter on an eagle who hurls a lightning bolt at Phaeton below. His chariot plunges out of control resulting in a twisting avalanche of horses, who are heading towards his distraught relations below and Eradinus, the reclining river god. The technical mastery of this picture deserves close attention, and one can happily spend time fascinating over the bodies of the horses. The exceptional fore-shortening skill and ability to make unimaginable poses a visual reality is startling.

Less inspiring, however, is the rest of the exhibition which seeks to locate Il Sogno and the presentation drawings in the wider artistic context, by including works on the theme of sleep, dream and allegory, by Dürer, Mantegna and other contemporaries. Whilst this extra body of work increases the size of the exhibition, the relationship between Michelangelo and these pieces is at times hard to identify. Using the exhibition as an excuse to fetch out their sixteenth century drawings, the Courtauld’s “Looking at Michelangelo” display in a separate room (accessible by passing through their permanent fauvist collection) is an unnecessary and uninspiring addition with little relation to the exhibitions key pieces.

The contextual additions take away from the magic of the Michelangelo presentation drawings, and even his resurrection drawings, which we are informed are there because of their “thematic comparisons”, do not visually link the exhibition or give it any sense of coherence.

I feel that the Courtauld should have opted for a more intimate exhibition with a deeper, more focused examination of the key pieces themselves, instead of trying to clutch at distantly related thematic and contextual straws. They could also have injected a bit of colour and vitality in to the display to engage and uplift the viewer. However, the privilege of seeing these pictures is always a pleasure and the chance to see Michelangelo’s most exquisite drawings is a dream one should not pass up.

The Courtauld Gallery, ends 16th May 2010.
10am – 6m. Adults £5, concessions £4.

Holly Bostock (www.beaustock.co.uk)

Camp Bestival Lulworth Literary And Arts Fun

2010-04-04T15:50:00.007+01:00

Having recently announced Fairy Tales as this year’s fancy dress theme and a host of knee-slapping comedy turns, the Camp Bestival crew are turning their attention to all the incredible extra-curricular cultural pursuits and surprises that make Camp Bestival so much more than just a festival. As ever, Rob da Bank and his trusty team have worked long and hard gathering together a host of party favours and cerebral treats that will amaze and amuse to join our mind-blowingly eclectic musical line-up that includes the likes of Madness, Friendly Fires, Human League, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic and Calvin Harris from July 3oth to August 1st at Lulworth Castle on Dorset’s dramatic Jurassic coast.

The cultural centre of this year’s Camp Bestival will be the East Lulworth Literary Institute. Set to be a hive of erudite amusements all weekend long we are very pleased to announce that legendary rock photographer Kevin Cummins is joining William Orbit, Andrea Arnold, Simon Raymonde and DJ Derek to share his insights into How To Be A Music Photographer. For those that enjoy the soothing sounds of narration we will have Author Readings so you can snuggle up and settle down for story time listening to readings from some of the best contemporary authors on the block, including: ‘Apples’ and ‘Ten Storey Lovesong’ author Richard Milward, Joe Dunthorne who penned the wonderful ‘Submarine’ and Jon Ronson who wrote ‘The Men who Stare at Goats’, which was recently made into a blockbuster movie starring George Clooney!

Poet and illustrator, Laura Dockrill (Dockers MC) is back at Camp Bestival by popular demand as part of Book Slam. Reinvigorating and reinventing the stilted world of book reading Book Slam brings literature into a more exciting social context borrowing a little rock ‘n’ roll ethos from the live music scene and transporting it into the world of spoken word and literature to create a unique ‘literary nightclub’ experience.

Speaking of Spoken Word, the cream of spoken word talent will be collected together by Camp Bestival favourite, Scroobius Pip to treat your ears to their latest offerings, with hip hop sensation Kate Tempest, politically-sussed refusenik Itch (King Blues) and tall tales and sonic sorcery from Ventriloquist plus Chris Hicks, Tim Clare, Ross Sutherland, Dizraeli, Sarah Olowofoyeku, Poem Inbetween People and of course, Scroobius Pip himself.

The scholastic and fantastic won't just be confined to The East Lulworth Literary Institute as we are delighted to welcome the Roundhouse Collectives for their debut festival performances! Over the past two years, Camden's legendary Roundhouse has launched and produced a number of creative companies, all under the age of 25 that have performed at the Roundhouse and at venues across the country. This year several of the Roundhouse Companies are coming to Camp Bestival and will be performing an array of Theatre, Circus, Caberet and Poetry

There will be a chance for 50 kids at Camp Bestival to take part in a live performance on one of the main stages! The Dulwich Ukulele Club, famed for creating The Night of 100 Ukes and The Camp Bestival Jug Band, are inviting the kids of Camp Bestival to join them for a mass performance to form the Camp Bestival Kids Chorus - an unforgettable chance to have a really rocking festival experience! Children can join on a first come first served basis.

Plus there will be A Chapter of My Life, which is a unique opportunity to tell your very own real life story to audiences at Camp Bestival. It could be funny, intriguing, unbelievable, moving or uplifting – share one of your personal experiences with the audience and let them into a chapter of your life! Stories should be submitted to chapterofyourlife@campbestival.net before the festival and the best ones will be selected to feature in this special story telling experience. Stories should last 5-10 minutes each, all ages welcome!

We’ve still got tons of fun to announce including copious kids’ treats, the House of Fairy Tales and lots more off-the-wall entertainment that you won’t find anywhere else. To keep yourself up to date make sure you keep checking http://www.campbestival.net/

Donald Earl

The Love Ball

2010-02-24T02:22:00.008Z

Following the success of last year's inaugural Love Ball in Moscow, Natalia Vodianova has joined forces with Lucy Yeomans, Editor-in-Chief of Harper's Bazaar UK, to host The Love Ball London on 23 February 2010. De Beers is proud to be the lead sponsor of this event in aid of the Naked Heart Foundation.

The centre piece of the auction at the event is The Magic Moment Necklace designed by Natalia and created by De Beers. This one of a kind piece of stunning diamond jewellery will be auctioned alongside bespoke pieces of art by artists such as Jeff Koons, Marc Quinn and Anselm Reyle.

"The Magic Moment Necklace was inspired by that precious instant when two people meet and immediately connect. Two stunning De Beers diamond hearts fit perfectly together becoming one - symbolic of a great love. I was reminded of the famous love poem by Pushkin and also of the first playground we opened when I saw the children's happiness and excitement. That was a magic moment I treasure and I instantly knew that the Naked Heart Foundation would be an integral part of me. It was a delight to collaborate with De Beers on this beautiful piece and I thank them for their generous support of the Naked Heart Foundation." Natalia Vodianova, on her inspiration behind the design.

The delicate diamond studded chains of The Magic Moment Necklace daintily encircle the body and capture the two heart shaped pink and white diamonds, a reference to love ensnaring and seizing a heart at that magical moment.

Stylish, modern and feminine, The Magic Moment Necklace delicately flows. The central pendant features a 1.10 carat fancy intense pink heart- shaped diamond seamlessly paired with a 3.06 carat white heart-shaped diamond and hand set in delicate micropavé adding texture and depth. The pendant dances elegantly on a chain of white gold studded with white, pink and yellow diamonds, part of the chain is detachable for versatility. The Magic Moment Necklace can be worn either as an intricate statement or a sophisticated pendant.

"Natalia is synonymous with style and elegance and De Beers is delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with her on this exquisite piece. Her generous spirit and passion for the project is inspiring. The Naked Heart Foundation is a cause we are honoured to support and we wish Natalia every success." François Delage, CEO of De Beers Diamond Jewellers.

Combining the stylish flair and passion of Natalia with De Beers' peerless heritage in the selection of diamonds and their expert craftsmanship, The Magic Moment Necklace is a stunning piece of jewellery with an inspired story.

images by getty

Donald Earl

Creativity At Work

2010-02-23T13:17:00.005Z

How to be creative when bored at work;

1. Collect some dead flies from the office windowsills.

2. Put them in the sun to dry for one hour

3. Once they are dry, pick up a pencil and paper... Let your imagination run free

Here are a few examples...

The Lady Magazine Celebrates 125 Years

2010-02-19T02:38:00.006Z

England’s longest running women’s weekly magazine, The Lady, welcomes its 125th anniversary this month by unveiling a special commemorative issue naming the ‘125 Ladies of Today’.

The magazine, which was first published in 1885, is renowned for its consistent high quality, informative discussions and insightful interviews with some of the world’s most fascinating women. To celebrate this, its 125th year, for the first time the magazine has compiled a list of the ‘125 Ladies of Today’.

The Lady was first launched in 1885 and is England’s longest running weekly magazine for women.
Independently run, The Lady was founded in 1885 by Thomas Gibson Bowles, maternal grandfather of the Mitford sisters. Gibson Bowles started The Lady upon his wife’s suggestion that a women’s magazine would prove popular. Since then, The Lady has remained within the same family and is now run by publisher, Ben Budworth, and edited by journalist and author, Rachel Johnson.

The Lady has been based at the same building in London’s Covent Garden since 1891 and is renowned for her classified advertisements for both domestic staff and holiday lets.

Chosen by a distinguished panel of judges, including magazine editor Rachel Johnson, the list represents some of the most intelligent, empowered and inspirational women in the world. The choices have been broken down into categories spanning Business, Science and Research, Charity, Public Office, Publishing, Journalism, Writing, Food, Gardens and Interiors, Art and Design, Voluntary Sector, Fashion, Film and Theatre, TV and Radio, Sport and Royalty.

Notable choices stem from Buckingham Palace through to Albert Square; the list features names including The Queen and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, interiors specialists Cath Kidston and Emma Bridgewater, Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, Vogue US and UK editors respectively Anna Wintour and Alexandra Shulman, controversial artist Tracy Emin, notorious lawyer Fiona Shackelton, British actresses Julie Walters, Judi Dench and Helen Mirren, and popular television personalities Arlene Philips and Barbara Windsor.

On choosing the finalists, Johnson commented: “A distinguished panel at the Lady and beyond put their heads together and after many weeks of lively, free and frank (ie vicious) argument settled on the 125 women we regard as Ladies of Today. This is not a scientific list, nor are these your usual run of females: we haven't chosen them for their looks/vital statistics/ reality TV careers, but because we think these are women who think not, "what can I get out of this," but "what can I put in." So instead of Jordan we have the head of the Women's Institute; instead of Kerry Katona, the head of the Girl Guides. We here at the Lady are Gaga about our 125th anniversary issue - out Feb 16th - and hope all our valued readers and advertisers will be too.”

Since taking over as Editor in September 2009, Rachel has been orchestrating a re-launch, with big name interviews and brand new contributors, who include Lady Antonia Fraser, Sir Tim Rice and Sandi Toksvig. The 125th anniversary issue of The Lady was launched on the 16th February.

For further information on The Lady please visit www.lady.co.uk

Donald Earl for 3E News

Save The Abbey Road Studios

2010-02-19T02:21:00.007Z

Fans, admirers and former employees are among the thousands joining the Facebook group, with the intention of saving the iconic Abbey Road Studios from the hands of potential property developers.

To date almost 8,000 people have backed the move to keep Abbey Road as a working recording studio.

Due to financial difficulties at the private equity company Terra Firma, which bought EMI for £4bn in 2007, this world famous studio where famous Beatles albums such as Let It Be and Revolver were recorded, as well as the classic Pink Floyd album Dark Side of the Moon and countless others is now up for sale.

As has been widely reported, Terra Firma needs to find around £100 million within four months to keep EMI going and service all debts. The studio itself is understood to be up for sale for between £10 and £30 million.

”Abbey Road Studios holds a special place in the hearts of the general public. For many this world class studio was the birthplace of their favourite musical recording.” said former employee Roland Heap, founder of the Facebook group. “Music generated at Abbey Road Studios over the past 80 years has shaped many, many lives.”

“We appeal to EMI to reconsider the sale of this important historical institution and preserve for generations to come this bastion of recording excellence, or if there be no alternative to a sale, that a buyer is sought who can keep these facilities operating at the same exquisite standards as they have always done.”

The Facebook group have also set up a website which enables members of the pubic to sign a petition that will be handed over to both Terra Firma and the Minister for Creative Industries, Siôn Simon.

“Through the Facebook group and the online petition we hope to find and propose a number of solutions to ensure that the studio survives and continues to set the very highest of standards in sound and musical recording” commented Mr. Heap.

The Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=306022858586
The petition can be found at http://www.saveabbeyroadstudios.org/petition

Donald Earl for 3E News

WOMAD Festival Returns

2010-02-19T01:47:00.009Z

The WOMAD Festival returns this summer to Charlton Park in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, from 23 to 25 July 2010. Promising another year of exciting artists and diverse musicians from across the globe, the 28th WOMAD Festival will be one of the best family events in the UK this summer.

The WOMAD experience is not about the familiar, the tried and tested; its essence is in the discovery and enjoyment of a totally unexpected artist or event which would never otherwise have been encountered. It’s a magical, musical melting pot, enriching all who experience it.

Over the past three decades, WOMAD has presented literally thousands of artists from more than one hundred countries and nationalities. Artists and acts for 2010 will be announced in the coming months.

Tickets are on sale now. WOMAD is pleased to announce, for the third year in a row, it will not be increasing its ticket prices for 2010.

Official WOMAD Website – www.womad.org/festivals/charlton-park/

LISTINGS AND TICKET INFORMATION

WOMAD FESTIVAL 2010 - Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 9DG

23 – 25 July 2010

BOOKING LINE: +44 0845 146 1735
ONLINE: http://www.womadshop.com/detail/558

Adult Weekend Ticket: £125
Teenager (14-17 Year Olds) Weekend Ticket: £60
Disabled Weekend Ticket: £125
All Children (13 and under): Free
FOR MORE TICKETS OPTIONS PLEASE SEE WEBSITE

Please note that all minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Donald Earl for 3E News

The Catwalk In Your Living Room

2009-11-17T14:37:00.006Z

Up-and-coming footwear designer Dionne Gooding knows shoes-and she sure knows how to throw a party.
"Like most women, I love shoes," Gooding says. "But I always found it hard to get exactly what I wanted." Though she owns over a hundred pairs, most of them are of her own design, or old favourites that have been recycled, refurbished and reborn through Gooding's innovative creative process. Not only does she sell her own sparkling, sexy-yet-comfortable line of pumps, high heels and courts at DionneGooding.com and in London and Kent boutiques; she also transforms old shoes into brand-new ones by adding elements like studs, flowers, feathers and Swarovski crystals-creating affordable, exquisite custom shoes to suit the
dream vision of each individual client.

Now, Gooding takes her fun on the road. She's created a whole new
phenomenon: the Shoe Party.
Who doesn't love shopping for shoes with her girlfriends?
Gooding's Shoe Parties come right to her clients' homes, gardens and offices. Women of all ages love to gather for Gooding's laughter-filled, creatively inspired shindigs, where she helps guests
dream, choose and design just the shoes they've always been looking for.

Hostesses (who get a half-price pair of shoes and ten percent off all
party sales) gather ten or more friends together to meet the
fun-loving designer and check out her funky, elegant designs. Wine is poured, snacks enjoyed, competitive shoe-trivia games played,
cool shoe prizes won-and each guest seizes her chance to strut her
stuff on a mini-catwalk in Dionne Gooding shoes. Shoe Party girls
can bring along old shoes to transform, with the inspired help of
Gooding and her trimmings, fabrics and style folders. And they can snap up her exclusive, limited-edition designs at great prices. At the end of the night, each guest leaves with both her shoes and her social life reinvigorated.

Gooding also sources fabric to custom-match shoes with favorite outfits, specializing in shoes for brides and bridesmaids in both African and traditional weddings. But no one's dream shoe is out of the realm of possibility for this dynamic twenty-five year-old designer.

"I got tired of seeing boring shoes in High Street stores and unique, luxurious shoes in designer stores that I couldn't afford," Gooding says. "So I decided to do my own amazing shoes at High Street prices."Your street, that is".

Dionne Gooding's creations are featured at Paraphernalia and NX
Boutique in South London, The Mixx in Kent, and online at
www.DionneGooding.com.

3E For 3E News

The Redemption of Samantha Fox

2009-11-17T14:11:00.004Z

Sony Music Signs Dance Hit and Lead Single - featuring Samantha Fox - from Marc Mysterio's forthcoming debut album, 'Redemption'
LONDON,UK /AMERADA MUSIC/ Sony Music (UK) has taken note of Superstar Dance DJ/Producer Marc Mysterio's emergence as a mainstream talent, and will release the lead single from Marc's forthcoming debut album, 'Redemption', called "Tomorrow" by Marc Mysterio (ft. Samantha Fox) on December 14th on ITUNES, as well as on CD.

The tune features the vocals of Samantha Fox, star of the new 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!', which makes its long anticpated debut This Sunday on ITV1.

"Redemption (Chapter 1)" is fused with a fierce list of collaborations
including the lead single _Tomorrow" by 'Marc Mysterio featuring
Samantha Fox, which has already cracked club charts, and
managed to crack its first #1 on radio in Europe!

"In a short time, Marc has managed to conquer the cold face of
dance in a very big way and is about to enter an elite level as an
artist with his debut album _Redemption', in April (2010)" says
Legandary BBC Radio 1 Presenter, Judge Jules introducing Marc
Mysterio to millions of listeners prior to his guest dj set on the
legendary show known as the 'Warm Up'.

The full album showcases the Globally Recognized DJ elevating
his artistry as an Artist to an elite level -- a move which will thrill his army of fans across the world featuring new collaborations with top talent, including:: Chris Willis (longtime singer of David Guetta), Gary Pine (Singer of Bob Sinclar Anthem 'Love Generation'), Lillix, Max'C (Singer of Top 5 UK Hit,'I Found You' by Axwell), Shena, Dhany (Longtime collaborator of Benni Bennasi) and finally a new duet featuring Jamie Sparks together with Samantha Fox.

Moreover, In an interview with the high profile blog, Beatportal, The
stars share their respect and admiration for each other's work:

"DJs and producers like Daft Punk, Armin van Buuren and Marc
Mysterio are truly the artists of their songs, even though they are not
the singer of their songs." Sam (43), asserts. Samantha explains that
her vocals on the dance track are simply an extension of
instruments in the mix produced, composed, arranged and then
performed live by the DJ/Porducer (i.e. Marc Mysterio) as a
performing artist. Marc Mysterio (27) returns this compliment by
claiming Samantha "is still ten times better looking than Kelly
Rowland."

The full LP 'Redemption' by Marc Mysterio will be released on CD
and ITUNES in April 2010, which will co-incide with the launch of
Marc Mysterio's Internationally Syndicated Radio Show
'Radio-Active'!

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THE ART OF MUSIC 09

2009-11-17T13:59:00.004Z

The Music World Comes Together to Fight Cancer

Exhibition Runs: 19th November to 30th November 2009

www.no-surrender.org

Unique cancer charity the No Surrender Charitable Trust has teamed up with Proud Camden to launch a special interactive exhibition, The Art of Music ‘09.
Showcasing original, one-off canvases created by leading musicians and bands exclusively for No Surrender; The Art of Music ’09 will present the only opportunity to view the works, which are to be auctioned in order to raise funds to support the charity’s vital efforts.
Featuring contributions from Maximo Park, Friendly Fires, Placebo, Maccabees, LadyHawke, White Lies and charity Trustee KT Tunstall amongst many more, this exhibition represents a coming together of the music world in the fight against cancer. Further adding to the exhibited work, videos of the canvasses being created will be projected on a gallery wall giving audiences the chance to experience the process from start to finish.

Paul Smith of Maximo Park says “We'll always try and support the charity in whatever way possible. It was fun to get involved with the exhibition and flex our artistic muscles. I'm not sure how many people will want to bid for my particular efforts, but I live in hope! There's no doubt it's a great cause.”
Not satisfied with merely featuring some of music’s leading lights, No Surrender has extended an open invitation to a whole hoard of bands and musicians. The exhibition will open with one wall of blank canvases alongside those already completed. Day by day a fresh canvas will be filled, accompanied by a live video stream at www.no-surrender.org of the artwork being created, giving fans and visitors the chance to interact with their favourite band.

This recently extended exhibition now runs for a week and a half, and kicks off with a launch and finishes with a closing night including a one-off special DJ line-up of Maximo Park and Blood Red Shoes.
To find out more and catch a sneak peak of some of the artworks already created with a video teaser, go to: WWW.NO-SURRENDER.ORG

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The V&A Ceramics Galleries

2009-11-17T13:37:00.004Z

The art of making ceramics or pottery has been a skill that seems to have held its own for several centuries now and it does not show any sign of regressing. Most ceramics such as tiles, pots and statues are produced with clay or other raw materials and this process has changed very little over the years, making it one of the oldest art forms.

In 2010, the ceramic review and Craft Potters Association, which aims to encourage fine works in studio ceramics, to promote their value in society and to foster the interest of the public in ceramic art will host a major International showcase for ceramics which will coincide with the Victoria and Albert museum’s huge ceramic exhibition. These two events promise to put the UK at the forefront of the world’s ceramic market and promises to excite and educate audiences all over.

The Victoria and Albert museum, which is in the process of a positive and drastic refurbishment programme over the next few years (including a new wing and improving their massive renaissance collection), have decided to exhibit their impressive ceramics collection in their new ceramics galleries which is set to rival others in the world. The V&A promise to showcase over 3000 objects with highlights including the Ming Chinese dynasty porcelain, Meissen figures, Dutch delftware, ceramics by Clarice Cliff and tableware by Wedgewood.

The first phase of their four year refurbishment project is complete and with the second phase set to be achieved in the summer of 2010, it looks like the V&A will once again establish themselves as one of the nation’s finest art institutions.

For more information on the Ceramics galleries or the V&A please check their website www.vam.ac.uk

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Xmas Factor

2009-10-06T23:33:00.007+01:00

Competition aims to stem Britons’ growing disenchantment with Christmas carol singers·

National carol competition launched by Ecclesiastical Insurance to keep Christmas carolling alive·

New survey reveals carol singers increasingly unwelcome outside our homes· Nearly one third won’t give a donation to carollers· Only 2% of Brits will sing carols door-to-door this Christmas.

The tradition of singing carols door-to-door has long been a staple of the British Christmas, but new research showing that the public is increasingly negative about the practice has prompted Ecclesiastical Insurance to launch a national competition to revitalise carolling. Ecclesiastical has teamed up this year with ChurchAds.net, who are encouraging people to put the Christian message back into Christmas with their ‘Christmas starts with Christ’ advertising campaign.

The competition to compose a new carol in the Christian tradition will form part of the campaign to get Christ back in Christmas and comes as a study by Ecclesiastical reveals that over half the British public is either unhappy or unwilling to have carol singers call at their homes. Launched today The Christmas Factor aims to reinvigorate public support for traditional carolling and ensure it remains at the heart of the Christmas celebrations.

According to the YouGov survey commissioned by Ecclesiastical Insurance, 29% of Britons don’t want carol singers to come to their home while a further 19% said they won’t answer the door if carol singers knocked. 3% said they would ask carol singers to leave. Almost three-quarters of Britons (73%) said that carollers are less welcome on the doorstep today than they were in the past. Bruce Rickards of Ecclesiastical Insurance said: “Our survey’s results made for pretty disheartening reading. I think I won’t be alone in saying that it’s a sad state of affairs that such a time-honoured way of celebrating Christmas should now be seen so negatively. We want to do something about it. “By launching this competition we hope to make people think again about carols and see them in a new light. We’re encouraging people to use their imaginations to compose contemporary carols that will reflect the lives we live now as well as the Nativity itself.

Popular carols like Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful are timeless, but every tradition needs a reboot from time to time. We think this competition will achieve that for carolling.”

Francis Goodwin, Chairman of ChurchAds.net said: "We're really pleased to be teaming up with Ecclesiastical on this initiative. The idea is right in line with our strategic approach which reminds people that Christmas starts with Christ. Carols are a great and memorable way of communicating the Christmas message with popular appeal." Ecclesiastical’s survey also found that Britons believe there has been a decline in the number of door-to-door carol singers. Two-thirds of those questioned said there are fewer singers today than 10 years ago. Asked whether or not they wanted to see the tradition of carolling continue in this country, 41% said they did while 22% wanted it to end. 32% had no opinion either way. Should carol singers call, most people (29%) thought they should sing just one carol and in return be given a donation of 51p-£1 (22%). Two carols were also quite popular with respondents (22%), but not more. However almost a third (30%) said they would not give any donation at all. This Christmas, only 2% of Britons are planning to go door-to-door carol singing although of those who are not, 17% said they will take part in some other type of carol singing event such as a church service or concert. The traditional of singing carols in the street in return for a donation is thought to go back to the Middle Ages when beggars performed in return for food or money.

The Christmas Factor competitionToday Ecclesiastical Insurance, in conjunction with ChurchAds.net, is a launching a national competition to compose a new carol in the Christian tradition around the theme of the Nativity. Called The Christmas Factor, the competition is open to anyone. The carol can be in any musical style but should not be longer than four minutes in duration. The winner will be announced in December and in addition to receiving a £1,000 prize, will have his or her carol performed on their doorstep by the largest doorstep carol singing event of all-time. The competition begins on 5 October. Entries (lyrics and melody) can be made via ChurchAd.net’s website. For full details go to www.ecclesiastical.com/christmasfactor.

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Centre For Sustainable Fashion

2009-10-05T09:10:00.005+01:00

The Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF) set up at London College of Fashion (LCF) and now in its second year of operation, received backing from the British Fashion Council. Harold Tillman, Chairman of the British Fashion Council, speaking at the Estethica launch party at London Fashion Week commented: “It is wonderful to see the work being undertaken by the Centre for Sustainable Fashion supporting the fashion industry to transform the way it does business. It is especially apt given the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week that we should be looking to the future and safeguarding our industry for future generations.”

The Centre for Sustainable Fashion at London College of Fashion has rapidly gained an international reputation for connecting research, education and business to support, inspire and create innovative approaches to fashion that balance ecology, society and culture. Ambassador for the CSF Caryn Franklin commented; “The Centre for Sustainable Fashion is a trailblazer, helping all of us to a better understanding of why the pursuit of sustainability must be on par with the pursuit of business building and design innovation.”

Over the past year the CSF has worked across education, research and industry to establish networks and develop capacity within the fashion industry and produce graduates who are fully equipped to effect positive change. Just one of many successful initiatives includes the Shared Talent India project that is funded under the Defra led Sustainable Clothing Roadmap and the Indian Government through the UK:India Sustainable Development Dialogue. Born out of a collaboration between UK and Indian designers, LCF, Pearl Academy India and Amsterdam Fashion Institute, the project explored and promoted the design applications of a range of sustainable Indian textiles; outcomes from Shared Talent India were displayed on the Monsoon Stand in Estethica at London Fashion Week and will go on to be displayed at Indian Fashion Week in October 2009.

The CSF has also launched its new website http://www.sustainable-fashion.com/ which provokes, challenges and questions the fashion status quo. This will be an invaluable resource for the fashion industry, showcasing transforming design concepts that balance ecology, society and culture.

Shared Talent India Team:Through partnership between the Defra led Sustainable Clothing Roadmap and the Indian Government under the UK:India Sustainable Development Dialogue, the Centre for Sustainable Fashion explored and shared knowledge on sustainable design practice. Those involved include 12 designers, based in both the UK and India, suppliers of Indian textiles, buyers and undergraduates from London College of Fashion, Pearl Academy of Fashion Delhi and Amsterdam Fashion Institute. The initiative aims to innovate towards improved ecological, ethical and cultural criteria in selecting and creating collections and to connect designers and buyers to more sustainable textiles in India.

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The Sand Lady

2009-10-05T08:37:00.005+01:00

Talent shows are enjoying something of a bittersweet golden age of late thanks to x factor, strictly come dancing and the likes. Acts like Susan Boyle, Diversity, Alesha Dixon and Ali Bastian are to talent shows what Cheryl Cole is to Girls Aloud.Viewing numbers have remained hugely impressive and it seems Britain's Got Talent may be about to benefit greatly after the Ukranian winner's performance was such a huge hit on the internet, she has had to organise a worldwide tour.
Kseniya Siminova is the 24 year old sand animator whose portrayal of life during the Great Patriotic war in world war II reduced several audience members to tears. During her interview she said that sand had become a part of her and she has managed to establish a strong relationship with it and her hands thus enabling her to fully immerse herself in all her works.
The video for that performance placed on youtube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo has received a staggering amount of hits in such a short space of time and lots of comments complimenting her work.

Sand drawing has been a vanuatu ritual tradition and practice for years and has thus been recognised by UNESCO as a MASTERPIECE OF THE ORAL AND INTANGIBLE HERITAGE OF HUMANITY which ensures that communities awarded this maintain their traditions that reflect their cultural and social identity. The reason why Miss Siminova's work impressed the millions that viewed it online or the several lucky ones that witnessed it live was her ability to combine her strong interest, passion and knowledge of the art with excellent camera work to produce a magnificent portrayal of dark times during world war II.

There is a planned tour of Miss Siminova's work according to sources thus we shall wait and see if there is more to this sand lady than her youthful good looks and talent obviously.
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Les Ballets Russes

2009-08-04T03:38:00.004+01:00

Formed in 1909 by Sergei Diaghilev, Les Ballets Russes revolutionised the art of dance, presenting work so ground-breaking it famously caused near-riots. One hundred years later, four exceptional artists at the vanguard of today’s choreography pay a thrilling tribute to this unique artistic venture.
To mark this special centenary Sadler’s Wells produces In the Spirit of Diaghilev,commissioning brand new works from Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Javier De Frutos, Russell Maliphant and Wayne McGregor who are each creating work inspired by Diaghilev’s troupe and his pioneering spirit of collaboration.
Each choreographer, working with all or part of his own company and a host of world class designers, composers and artists from beyond the realms of dance, gives their own original response to the famous challenge that Diaghilev once issued to Jean Cocteau: “Surprise me!”.

Sadler’s Wells Artistic Director Alistair Spalding says; “With the Ballets Russes, Diaghilev altered the perceptions of who and what ballet could attract. It became a multi-dimensional art form and Diaghilev’s approach forged the way for generations of artists and producers to come. For this centenary I felt it was important for Sadler’s Wells to create new work, and to ask the question, if Diaghilev were alive today, what would he do? So I’ve asked Wayne McGregor, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphant and Javier de Frutos, to each create pieces inspired by some aspect of that period and most importantly Les Ballets Russes’ spirit of collaboration.”
Forming an evening of four brand new works, In the Spirit of Diaghilev includes collaborations across design, film, music and fashion.

Inspired by Shackleton's Nimrod expedition to the South Pole in 1909, the year that Les Ballets Russes was founded, Wayne McGregor creates Dyad 1909. Wayne McGregor Random Dance collaborates with acclaimed artists and filmmakers Jane and Louise Wilson, lighting designer Lucy Carter and costume designer Moritz Junge with costumes embellished by Swarovski and make-up by Kabuki. Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds will provide a newly commissioned score combining piano, strings and electronics.

INFO ABOUT BALLETS RUSSES
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company which performed under the directorship of Sergei Diaghilev between 1909 and 1929. Some of their places of residence included the Théâtre Mogador and the Théâtre du Châtelet, as Paris had a large Russian exile population. They performed in many countries, including England, the U.S.A. and Spain. Many of the company’s dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg. Younger dancers were trained in Paris, within the community of exiles after the Russian Revolution of 1917. The company featured and premiered now-famous (and sometimes notorious) works by the great choreographers Marius Petipa, Michel Fokine, as well as new works by Bronislava Nijinska, Leonide Massine, Vaslav Nijinsky, and the young George Balanchine at the start of his career. Dancers included Anna Pavlova, Alicia Markova, and Bronislava Nijinska.
The company’s productions combined new dance, art and music. They created a huge sensation around the world, altering the course of musical history, bringing many significant visual artists into the public eye, and completely reinvigorating the art of performing dance. Les Ballets Russes was one of the most influential theatre companies of the 20th century, in part because of its ground-breaking artistic collaboration among contemporary choreographers, composers, artists, and dancers. Collaborators commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev at that time included composers Stravinsky, Ravel and Debussy, and artists such as Picasso, Chanel, Matisse and Miró.

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Mozart At Home

2009-08-04T03:24:00.001+01:00

Since 1999 Siemens has been sponsoring the Salzburg Festival and enabling free and open-air transmissions of current and past productions in cooperation with the ORF.
The Siemens Festival Nights in Salzburg had a very special highlight this year: For the first time the Salzburg Festival offered a web stream and opera-on-demand alongside public viewing. The premiere of Mozart's "Cosě fan tutte", conducted by Adam Fischer, was relayed live in perfect HD image- and 3D sound-quality at the Kapitelplatz during the festival.

Thousands tuned in to the premiere of Mozart's "Cosě fan tutte" on the eve of the festival as it was relayed worldwide via web stream. The cost, a mere 7.90 euros and was made available once more due to demand for 7 days after. People logged onto the www.siemens.com/festivalnight website and were highly impressed based on the comments received.

As for the festival itself, the team were joined for Austrian wine and other specialities in the Imlauer restaurant tent at the Kapitelplatz by the rest of the attendees to get a glimpse of Salzburg's successful public viewing spectacle and experience first class open air music. In the past few years, more than 2,000 people visited the public viewing, which relays shows live from the festival hall, every day. Altogether the Siemens Festival Nights welcome about 40,000 visitors per annum and will be delighted if you managed to grace the next one.

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The Opera House At Sunset

2009-08-04T03:22:00.003+01:00

Promising to do better to unite the people and encourage world peace simply doesn’t cut it in this day and age.
Beauty Queens around the world are having fillers, implants, extension and god alone knows what else to be the best of the best.
Miss Australia has called in the help of International Fashion Designer Ruth Tarvydas to create . . . .
The Opera House at Sunset
The bust is shaped on the Opera House using swarovski crystals whilst the body represents sails on the harbor, the skirt is the swirling sea at sunset and the hat represents the sun setting.
Ruth received mixed reviews about the outfit and simply responded:
“I’m sure some would like me to build a BBQ over her and put sausages on her head, maybe that's their idea of how Australia should be portrayed”Ruth’s career spans back over 30 years, she was the first Australian Designers to show at London Fashion Week when it began 25 years ago and her business has grown with it. Dressing the likes of Cheryl Cole, Emma Watson, Florence and the Machine and many others.

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Guildford School Of Acting

2009-08-04T03:16:00.002+01:00

The new £5.4 million Guildford School of Acting building, located at the University of Surrey, and built by Dutch-owned contractor VolkerFitzpatrick, was ‘topped-out’ in a ceremony in July.
The new three storey £5.4 million purpose-built building will provide the Guildford School of Acting (GSA) with 15 dance studios, tutorial rooms, café and an impressive entrance atrium. The build was part funded by a £3 million grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
The new building will enable GSA to have a permanent base at the University of Surrey Stag Hill campus – relocating from its present multiple locations across Guildford. The building will offer state-of-the-art facilities for students studying the performing arts, and will enable the School to offer new courses, thus building on its international reputation for excellence in training actors, dancers and technicians.

Speaking at the topping-out ceremony, VolkerFitzpatrick Estimating and Business Development Director, Jeff Niehorster, said: “We are now in the final phase of this 54 week build programme, and we anticipate the project being completed on time and within budget. The School’s new building will enable GSA to go from strength to strength as it moves to its new home here at the University of Surrey. The build has been a challenge, but along with our partners at GSA and the University, we have overcome them and built something of which we can all be proud. I look forward to future possible projects here on the campus.”

Professor John Turner of the University of Surrey, comments: "The University of Surrey pioneered the innovative and renowned Music and Sound Recording Tonmeister degree course in 1970 and was also the first UK University to introduce specialist academic degrees in Dance at all levels. This strategic merger with the GSA will complement our academic strengths in the area of performing arts and we look forward to working closely with our new colleagues.”
Peter Barlow, Director of GSA, says: “This new and exciting phase in GSA’s history is a dream come true. We can now bring the whole school together into one building and provide for our internationally renowned teachers the very best facilities in which to teach."

About the University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life – helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, the environment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in science and technology have gained widespread recognition and it also boasts flourishing programmes in dance and music, social sciences, management and languages and law. In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 140 companies employing 2,700 staff.
The Sunday Times names Surrey as ‘The University for Jobs' which underlines the university’s growing reputation for providing high quality, relevant degrees.

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London Undercover

2009-08-04T03:05:00.004+01:00

Quintessentially British? A term that any proud Brit has heard before. But what defines ‘British’? Fish & Chips? The London Underground? Bowler Hats, perhaps? Most certainly the humble Umbrella, that disposable yet utterly indispensable accessory, which frankly has been crying out for a makeover for years. One brave man has stepped up to the challenge, designing a range of Brollies for men and women which are more British than Scones and Tea, with innovation and technical know-how to appease the traditional British taste for high quality, aesthetically pleasing, functional paraphernalia.
Although aesthetics are objective, it’s hard not to be subjective and fall head over heels, with the following retro-kitsch designs from renowned British Graphic designer (and company Founder) Jamie Milestone. Full English breakfast and Café tablecloth, Fish & Chips wrapped in newspaper, unconventional Union Jacks, Dog Tooth and Plaid designs all feature in what can only be described as a ‘revolutionary’ concept when combined with the practical, yet typically dowdy Umbrella.
London Undercover has not only touched on print design, but also the elemental, functional parts of Brolly design. In keeping with the British ecological ideology, almost every aspect of these Umbrellas has been designed with a fresh environmental approach. Recycled Canvas, recycled metal shaft and frame, recycled/ biodegradable handles and recycled packaging feature in these morally re-assured Brollies.
A Brand ‘ripe’ for collaboration I hear you say? Well Jamie is one step ahead. He’s already designed a line of Umbrellas for the London Underground, featuring the classic District Line signature Moquette pattern. Paul Smith loves the classic-contemporary styling, which is so complimentary to his own brand, that he’ll be stocking them in his own stores.

http://www.londonundercover.co.uk/

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MADE IN PORTSMOUTH

2009-05-01T07:25:00.007+01:00

Fashion students are creating designer looks at credit crunch prices by customising charity shop clothes and selling them on.
The University of Portsmouth students are part of a special project collaborating with The Rowans Hospice charity shop in Southsea's Marmion Road. The students choose clothes from the items donated to the shop and customise them to give them a unique designer look.
The re-designed clothes go back on sale in the shop and all the proceeds go to The Rowans Hospice, a local charity which provides specialist hospice care to enhance the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illness.
For the students, who will have a display area in the shop, it's a chance to obtain first hand experience of designing clothes to sell directly into the marketplace.
Mel Jones, 20, is studying for a BA Fashion & Textile Design with Enterprise. She said: "The focus on producing an individual look has reminded us about the reasons we came to study fashion in the first place - originality and creativity. And of course it's a fantastic opportunity to showcase our designs to the public.
"Kate Moss made vintage clothing fashionable. It's about creating an individual look. You won't see anyone else wearing the same thing."
The project was born out of an idea from staff at the Rowans Hospice. They contacted the University's Department of Employability which places students in projects and work placements to gain extra skills to make them more employable and maximise their chances of getting a job.
Volunteer Coordinator, Alice Hickman, said: "Employers increasingly expect graduates to have work experience and a wide range of skills to complement their academic qualifications. Our students graduate with much more than just a degree under their belts, they're ready to make a difference from day one."

Vanessa Gilding is the manager of the Rowans Hospice charity shops. She said: "Charity shops have always been a great place to pick up a bargain. With this project you can buy a custom-made designer garment for a fraction of the price whilst supporting your local hospice."
The Rowans Hospice shops are run by volunteers and rely entirely on charitable donations. The charity shops make a significant contribution towards the running costs of the Hospice.

Perhaps London and the rest of the country could take a leaf out of these young girls book or have they already?

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Misa Harada, The Hat Lady

2009-05-01T05:42:00.010+01:00

The highly awaited Autumn Winter 2009 collection for Misa Harada is out now and is set to fly off the shelves.The lady herself, for most of you who may not know her graduated from the Royal College Of Art and was immediately spotted by the Royal appointed milliner Frederick Fox where she stayed for 4 years helping design both his couture and commercial ranges. During this time she also produced hats for the catwalk shows of renowned designers Katharine Hamnett, Owen Gaster and Thierry Mugler.

Her unique style has been commissioned by several well known faces such as the rolling stones, scissor sisters, cinzano and Mac. she actually created Jennifer aniston's wedding veil, hats for the janet jackson "all for you" music video and unknown to many she was behind some of the millinery delights in the sex and the city and Ally McBeal shows. And if that is not enough, she has collaborated with Hermes, Missoni, Reem, Bora Aksu and Yohji Yamamoto.

May i suggest you take the opportunity to view some of her work at the Victoria and Albert museum's exhibition; HATS: AN ANTHOLOGY by Stephen Jones which is on til the 31 May 2009.

LADIES AUTUMN/WINTER COLLECTION 09-10 (ENCHANTED)

This collection sees an evolution by the designer known for her unique use of textile, contrast and craft. The use of various warm fabrics such as moiré woven, speckled or multicoloured Harris tweeds are combined with faux silver fox or unique orang-utan like fur. Grey, black and beige and Misa’s signature multi coloured assemble pallets form this seasons colour.
Winter warming shapes are to embrace any wearer in faux fur berets and the introduction of modern day Cossack styles and turbans . Sharp and structured 30’s style beret and various form of caps are to make the statement for a modern day stylish princess. For a true special occasion, Misa has introduced some enchanting head dress pieces on Alice bands all in romantic use of feathers.

MENS AUTUMN/WINTER COLLECTION 09-10 (Fleurs Du Mal)

Misa Harada’s AW 09/10 collection is darker with colours such as maroon, black and grey meant for characters walking the streets of Jack the Rippers’ grey foggy London.
For the commercial line classic trilby shapes, soft pork pie hats, flat and Gatsby caps are made in grey and black checked wool combined with leather and flocked denim. All accessories such as chess knight and guitar pick pins reflect the rock and roll and Edwardian theme, while studded leather belt invokes connotations of a heritage even darker.
The knit line has been extended with an introduction of herringbone pattern flat caps, Alpaca coquette and chunky rib knit beret and chullo style in smoky shade of grey and brown.

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Celebrating The Tudors

2009-05-01T03:48:00.014+01:00

To coincide with the fantastic documentary on the Tudors aired on TV, Hampton Court palace has organised a fantastic festival well worth attending.
The First Ever Tudor Music Festival; as part of this year's 500th anniversary celebrations to mark Henry VIIIs accession to the throne, they are dedicating four nights in the Great Hall to enjoy Tudor music. This is an excellent opportunity to step back in time and listen to music in the very place where Henry VIII enjoyed musical entertainment.

Festival-goers will enjoy a feast of music by the most eminent Tudor composers, including Byrd,

Tallis and Taverner, several of whom were employed at Henry VIII’s and Elizabeth I’s courts. Highlights include the stunning 40-part motet Spem in Alium by Tallis, as well as compositions written by King Henry VIII himself. The concerts will all take place in the magnificent Great Hall, which would not only been the centre of Henry VIII’s court life with banquets, entertainments, theatre and dancing, but would also have been the very place where Henry VIII would have heard music performed.

The festival runs from the 7th til the 10th May and doors open at 6.30pm and the concert commences at 7.30pm each night. This is one of the finest collection of performers you will come across and if that does not inspire you, perhaps spending time in the great hall where the concerts will be held will.

Tickets for the Tudor Music Festival at Hampton Court Palace are now available;

• By telephone on 0844 482 7795

• In person at the Hampton Court Palace Welcome Centre.

Prices: • £19.00 - £29.00 for adults (concessions £15.00)

• £9.50 - £14.50 for children

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Maharaja; The Splendour Of India's Royal Courts

2009-05-01T01:14:00.016+01:00

The Maharajas were Indian Princes and Kings who had great power over India in the eighteenth century along with the Hindu Rajahs, the Muslim Nizams, the Nawabs and later, the British Empire. The Maharajas were some of the wealthiest men on the planet possessing vast amounts of treasures, with which they created fantastic collections to be kept in their treasure vaults.
During those times the Maharajas possessed the Hyderabad, possibly the largest area on the subcontinent, and a land littered with gold and diamond mines. Consequently, it was the richest state. (Out of interest, it is currently home to the world's largest film studio, Ramoji film city.)
The wealth of the Maharajas far outshone that of the British Empire. Their prudent attitude saw them create a close ally with the new British Empire, assuring security to their wealth and position.

Thanks to this strong relationship between the two empires, the V&A have managed to put together this superb exhibition "MAHARAJA: THE SPLENDOUR OF INDIA'S ROYAL COURTS" which will run from 10TH OCTOBER 2009 - 17TH JANUARY 2010.
According to the V&A, this autumn's exhibition will be the first to comprehensively explore the world of the Maharajas and their extraordinary rich culture. The exhibition will bring together over 250 magnificent objects, many on loan to the UK for the first time from India's royal collections. The exhibition promises to cover the period from the 18th century when the great era of the Maharajas began, to the end of the British rule in 1947. It also promises to show the changing role of the Maharajas in a historical and social context and look at how their patronage of the arts both in India and Europe resulted in splendid and beautiful commissions designed to enhance royal status and identity.

Like most fans, the director of the V&A, Mark Jones is clearly excited by the prospect of showing possibly some of the finest works within the Indian royal collections as his statement suggests: "There has never been an exhibition like this before, showing the spectacular treasures of the courts of the Maharajas. Many of the objects are leaving India for the first time to come into the V&A. This exhibition will show that India's rulers were significant patrons of the arts, in India and the west, and will tell the fascinating story of the changing role of the Maharaja from the early 18th century to the final days of the Raj"

I urge anyone with or without any interest in the Maharajas, to put this exhibition date in their diary and grace the gallery to witness some of the magnificent pieces on display and perhaps learn a thing or two about a culture not often discussed or presented in the UK.

2 OF THE ITEMS EXPECTED TO BE DISPLAYED;

Charles Watson Turban Jewel - it is an enameled gold set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, a sapphire, and a pendant pearl. These jewels were presented to admiral Charles Watson in India.

Howdah - A howdah, or houdah, is a carriage which is positioned on the back of an elephant, or occasionally some other animal, used most often in the past to carry wealthy people or for use in hunting or warfare. It was also a symbol of wealth for the owner, and as a result were decorated with expensive gems.

3E For 3E News

THE ALTERNATIVE MISS WORLD

2009-04-28T11:14:00.004+01:00

As Brian Eno once remarked, ‘The Alternative Miss World should be entered for the Turner Prize! ’The event that brought Leigh Bowery to London, that intrigued artists from Brian Eno to David Hockney, that has attracted fashionistas from Zandra Rhodes to Ryan Styles - The Alternative Miss World - a beauty contest like no other – ricochets back into the limelight for its 12th outing since 1972 at London's premier venue The Roundhouse on Saturday May 2nd 2009.

Artist Andrew Logan's Crufts-inspired competition thrusts 20 hard-core exhibitionists, including head-hunter Janet Slee, gallery owner Matthew Flowers, club phenomenon Daniel Lismore & milliner Piers Atkinson, onto the stage to compete through Daywear, Swimwear and Eveningwear for the ultimate accolade; the coveted title of The Alternative Miss World. Judged by poise, personality and originality by a panel of the ruthless crème de la crème of the creative world, contestants pull every trick in the book to gain attention, favour and those all-important votes. Past competitors have included Jubilee's Jenny Runacre, Norman Rosenthal in Sarah Lucas, 80 year old Russian Pani Bronua and ‘Transformer’ Burnel Penhaul. Expect cross-dressing, nudity, absurdity, art, gigantic looks, mechanical costume, raw sexual energy, laughter and shock!

Andrew Logan hosts and hostesses the evening with quickfire-wit cultural icon Ruby Wax. Live music from The Irrepressibles, the siren sounds of Bishi and Moscow’s Aquaaerobika, unexpected celebrity appearances, video art, semi naked boys, dancing girls, drink, friends & family, transvestites, performance, glitter, dazzle and spectacle. Judges include Queen of Colour Zandra Rhodes, Textile Temptress Celia Birtwell, Bruce Lacey the elemental artist, pilot and AMW veteran, artiste Molly Parkin, Movie Maestro Ken Russell, The Beautiful Bombshell Betty McIntosh, Rocky Horror’s Creator Richard O’Brien, Hollywood Superstar Tim Curry, South Asia’s Cultural Guru Rajeev Sethi, The Doyen of Craft Today, Philip Hughes, London’s Latest Hotspot Amy Lamé, Jonny Woo the Darling of the East End, Time Out’s Tony Elliott, the Roundhouse’s Supremo Marcus Davey, Alternative Miss World of The Universe 2004 Miss Secret Sounds of Sunbird Rising CCCP, 2004’s Co-Host, the fabulous Julian Clary and yet more Glitterati!

The Alternative Miss World

The theme is The Elements

The place is The Roundhouse

The date is 2nd May

The time is 8.00 pm

The night to crown it all!

3E For 3E News

BOTOWN; From Memphis To Mumbai

2009-04-28T10:25:00.004+01:00

BOTOWN is a super-tight band of multi-cultural musicians that bring together the classical sounds of India and Bollywood and serves them up with a unique Soul Funk twist. It’s an exciting culture-clash musical experience that takes you on a trip from Memphis to Mumbai.
The live performances combine the glamour of Bollywood and the charisma of the Soul legends from a band that is committed to bringing the house down with every performance and then playing on top of the rubble. And yes of course they have their own troupe of sexy dancers!

The band was put together by Ajay, a UK born musician with top-ten hits in India and who has worked with artists as diverse as Jamiroquai, Gregory Isaacs and the King of Bollywood himself – Shah Rukh Khan!

Says Ajay: “Bollywood and Soul are both music of the people. I’ve always been passionate about both, so combining the two is a musical dream come true. Fans of both music genres will be at home at the gig.”

The live music show features Bollywood hits mashed up with soul, blues & funk along with original music. Check out the sounds of legends like RD Burman, James Brown, Prince, AR Rahman, Sly Stone, Kishore Kumar and more in a way you’ve never heard them before!

The Botown band line up features: drums, bass, Indian percussion, horn section, guitar, male & female vocals, dhol, DJ turntablist, rapper and dancers, all completing the full live Bollywood Soul Funk experience!

BOTOWN: The Soul of Bollywood!

3E For 3E News

Henkel Collection Art Catalog

2009-04-23T16:19:00.007+01:00

An art collection for all employees.
During the period 1970 – 2000, professor of art Gabriele Henkel collected art from around the world for the Henkel company. These works enliven the offices, corridors, stairwells and canteens at Henkel’s Düsseldorf headquarters and have thus become part of the working environment of several thousand employees. The two-volume catalog “The Collection at Home – Henkel Collection” shows a selection of this unusual art collection comprised of paintings, exhibits of graphic and primitive art, photographs, tapestries and fabrics. Now the catalog has been launched in Düsseldorf.

Düsseldorf – When a new complex of buildings was constructed on the Henkel site in Düsseldorf in 1970, Prof. Gabriele Henkel, renowned art expert, was commissioned by the company to start an art collection. For the wife of the deceased Dr. Konrad Henkel, grandson of the company founder Fritz Henkel, one important prerequisite was that the works should be made accessible to all the company’s employees and be integrated within the working world.
Gabriele Henkel has recorded a part of the collection in a two-volume catalog that was now presented to the public. Guests from the worlds of art, politics and business came to the launch, which was held at Düsseldorf’s K21 gallery, home of the art collection of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

In his welcoming address, Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted expressed what many of Henkel’s employees must think as they pass through the buildings that make up their place of work: “As a Henkel man, I am lifted by this daily presence of both intensely stimulating and tranquil art that surrounds me. It is truly motivational and inspires our creativity, and so, on behalf of the company, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Gabriele Henkel for making this possible.”
The catalog entitled “The Collection at Home” is published by Dumont Verlag.
Henkel has been dedicated to making people's lives easier, better and more beautiful for more than 130 years. A Fortune 500 and Germany's most admired company, Henkel offers strong brands and technologies in three areas of competence: Adhesive Technologies, Home Care and Personal Care. Each day, more than 50,000 employees in 125 countries are dedicated to fulfilling Henkel's claim "A Brand like a Friend.” In fiscal 2008, Henkel generated sales of 14,131 million euros and adjusted operating profit of 1,460 million euros.

3E For 3E News

Underage Achiever Bilaal

2009-04-23T15:34:00.026+01:00

At the age of twelve, author, fundraiser and Unicef Canada ambassador Bilaal Rajan is already a force to be reckoned with. An accomplished writer, fundraiser and children’s activist, his new book Making Change: Tips from an Underage Overachiever is an operating manual for making a difference, no matter what your age.

International Volunteer Week is taking place April 19 to 25, and to celebrate the occasion, Bilaal is spearheading his own initiative where he will go without shoes for the entire week. He is asking fellow students and the general public to do the same, or as long as they can, to better understand the struggles faced by underprivileged children in the developing world – many of whom cannot afford shoes, let alone attend school.
“From an early age,” says Rajan, “I could see young people around the world didn’t have it so good. I realized that something had to be done.” Since 2001, he has raised almost five million dollars for various causes. Four years ago, he was chosen as an official Child Ambassador for Unicef Canada.
Bilaal is also featured in a documentary, Yes We Can!, produced by In Sync video, which premiered on April 19 at the Sprockets Film Festival in Toronto, where the initiative officially kicked off. “This initiative is a call to action,” he says. “And when people ask me why I don’t have shoes, I’ll tell them because too many children throughout the world don’t either.”

Nigel Fisher, president of Unicef Canada, is on board. Also taking part is ORCA book publishers, award-winning novelist Eric Walters, members of the World Partnership Walk Committee, and most importantly, schools in Ottawa, Calgary and Montreal.
The initiative is also gaining momentum in countries as far away as Australia, Afghanistan, Great Britain, Switzerland, Thailand, Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania. The word on the initiative is travelling fast!
Bilaal believes that in these challenging economic times, young people need to reach out even more, volunteer their time, and help those in need. “My goal,” he says, “is to inspire one million children to find their passion, take action and create a more caring world.

3E For 3E News

Australia's Nobody Collection

2009-04-23T14:27:00.007+01:00

Worn by rock bands, shot by style press and designed by denimologists – what next?

Celebrating Nobody’s 10-year anniversary our ever-expanding Australian denimista’s have designed a one off dress named “Waltz”. Engineered out of Japanese distressed denim it’s set to make your pulse race and your plastics melt with it’s bleached and ripped full circle halter-dress.
Heritage Collection
Nobody have designed the Australian Heritage Collection to be the ultimate jean to capture the Nobody attitude and outlook, inspired by our shared Australian memories, faded photographs and our uniquely Australian perspective, For us it’s about down to earth vibe with a high quality respect and appeal, with a nod to the future and an eye on the past.

Premium Collection
The Premium Collection features a clean design aesthetic, an optimistic, exciting and creative outlook. The distinct and sharp signatures, rivets and pocket detail represent confidence and a directness – not tied to the past but afresh, uncomplicated and innovative attitude.

Guilty Collection
The Guilty Collection is the ultimate in hard edge attitude, constructed from non-traditional denims sourced from small boutique style denim mills, we work with coated fabrics, waxed fabrics, speciality wefts and metallic treatments. Always something unique and exciting, these looks are for the exhibitionists in all of us. For when you wanted understated but flashy . . . you know what we mean.

Nobody team are putting another prawn on the BBQ for their 10 year anniversary with a delicious line of distressed denim dresses, jumpsuits, bold blazers, skirts, shirts and short shorts available from dedicated “denimistas” Donna Ida and Trilogy stores.

For those who love nothing more than making heads turn (and we don’t mean the other way) Nobody are introducing the Matilda Dress, made from distressed Japanese denim imported specially for hippy lux denim damsels around London. You may want to burn some serious rubber as the waiting list for this material girl is longer than Caprices extensions.

This season Gossip Girl star Leighton Meeston struts her stuff in Nobody's skinny pant, ferocious fading, discreet designer rips and black stitching combine this gorgeous get up named “Mole” in exotic “Lolita”, perhaps it’s time to give a cheery wave to “Jenny from the block” and all hale “Statement Sisters!”.

And finally the denim direction set to hit the high-street from Nobodys mother ship would be the “Rebel” legging style jean, tighter than Sandy's leathers in Grease and “Jackaroo” baggy, ripped and boyish all the way .

3E For 3E News

V&A FuturePlan

2009-02-26T00:06:00.014Z

With the success of the opening of the British Galleries in 2001, the Victoria and Albert Museum, known as the V&A, announced its decision to embark on a major redesign of around 70 per cent of the galleries in the museum. This plan, known as the ‘Future Plan’, was started in 2002 and was set to be finished by 2012. The ‘Future Plan’ was divided into three phases. The first phase, costing an estimated £30 million and compromising of no less than 28 separate projects, ranges from improvements in signage and labels through to complete redesign of several galleries. Those that have been redesigned have included the main Silver Gallery in 2002 (changes were made to the main entrance), the Photography and Painting Galleries in 2003 and in 2004 the entrance from the tunnel leading to South Kensington tube station was reopened for the first time since the 1970s. This year sees many of the new galleries opening including the Theatre and Performance Galleries, the refurbished Ceramic Galleries but the most expectant of these changes is the Medieval and Renaissance wing set to open in November 2009.
Costing £11 million, and spanning the east wing of the museum, this new development will compromise of ten new galleries which will be spread over three levels. The displays will be broadly chronological documenting the story of European art and design between 300AD and 1600, housing over 1,800 objects, some of which are the V&A’s most remarkable treasures. Some of the items visitors will be able to peruse are masterpieces such as the Becket Casket, a fine example of medieval craftsmanship that contains the relics of the archbishop Thomas Becket, the rare and exceptional Lorsch Gospels Cover, one of the largest and grandest ivory medieval book covers to have survived from the Court of Charlemagne in around 800, and the Studley Bowl which is one of the earliest surviving pieces of English domestic silver. A whole gallery is devoted to the work of Donatello and for the first time on permanent display will be Leonardo Da Vinci’s small notebooks. The labels accompanying the display will also highlight important historical figures as well as patrons.
These changes provide an opportunity for the modernisation of the presentation of its artefacts. We can expect some of them to be thematically brought together within their cultural context, for example, within a domestic interior, or set in a religious space with translucent onyx window screens providing the effect of a medieval church. Upon the completion of all three phases, the museum is to be seen as a city, which will be divided into a series of quarters, making the disparate museum easier to tackle. One of the galleries will even resemble an Italian Renaissance courtyard complete with balcony, trees and a fountain.
The Press release detailing these changes contains a quote from Mark Jones, Director of the V&A, saying that “The V&A can now claim to be a world-class 21st-century museum with beautiful contemporary displays in a revitalised historic building.” The changes to the building make this statement very true. Since Jones took over in 2001, it is no longer seen as a “fusty, dusty maze of a place, with a jumble of artefacts drawn from every culture and age, poorly lit and amateurishly labelled”. The museum has managed to shake this image, as the completion of Phase One sees the lighting improved and displays and labelling enhanced and organised. All of this of this looks good on paper, but will it finally deliver for the V&A?

The V&A has a habit of acquiring exhibitions that are always described in a way that sells itself very well, but it never quite lives up to this expectation. It is a very disparate museum which is mirrored in its architecture. Once the new Medieval and Renaissance wing opens it will display what is described as the “greatest collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture outside Italy”; At the moment, it only seems to skim the surface of the collections it exhibits. My favourite exhibitions at the V&A were the temporary At Home in Renaissance Italy as well as the permanent fashion collections, but even these left me unsatisfied. There was not enough to feed my passion, and there appeared to be holes within the history and its documentation. Like a history text book, it gives the general idea, but it doesn’t go deep enough, which to the viewer can leave a sense of a lack of passion for what is being displayed. Indeed, for tourists having such a diverse range of collections from Ceramics through to Theatre and Performance in one place can seem appealing, but the fact that there is so much within the museum makes it very hard to tackle.

SE For 3E News

Club Closures

2009-02-25T18:40:00.007Z

Walking along Charing Cross Road last night I was met with the gloomy sight of bulldozers and metal cordons, momentarily frozen into inaction by the February snow, it sadly hasn’t been enough to stop them altogether. As soon as the thaw begins so too will the destruction of a large part of Soho to make way for the new Cross rail extension on Tottenham Court Road Station.
It’s easy to be nostalgic about the area when we consider the list of losses but why shouldn’t we be? Clubland will move on and new venues will open but with the closure of the Metro, the Astoria and the Astoria 2 London has lost a large part of its rock history.
When the Astoria’s shutting was announced early last year Ken Livingstone suggested the Astoria “wasn’t at the cutting edge of modern comfort.” It’s unlikely anyone will deny that is true, but he completely missed the point. Anyone that has jumped, dived or surfed at gigs will know that it’s as much about getting hot and sweaty as it is about enjoying the music. People don’t really want nor need a modern, comfortable venue; venues should be a bit dirty and have their story etched into the walls.
It’s not just the Cross rail casualties that London has lost, other famous clubs to succumb to the pound of the developer in the last twelve include Turnmills, China White, The Hammersmith Palais, Canvas, The Key, The Cross, Spitz and the one that’s likely to be most missed, The End.
These aren’t small, new, struggling venues, they are well established and successful, the like of which will not be replaced quickly – it took Layo and Mr C almost a year of hard work to see any kind of success with The End.
We’ve lost some treasures and with rumours of The Vaults being under threat there’s a very real chance we’ll lose more. It’s unlikely anything will ever really replace the charm and atmosphere of places like The End but these closures give a chance to new promoters and force people to think of new ideas.
New venues are scheduled to open in the next few months - look out for Cable near London Bridge - but with licences ever more difficult to come by promoters are more likely to move in to existing venues. More and more pubs are hosting nights and there has been a steady increase in the number of warehouse and car park parties across town. Familiar club nights have already relocated – Push is now at Bar Rumba, Bugged Out is hosting nights at Matter and bands are playing under the arches of Heaven. Notoriously pop and urban venues like Punk and Movida have also opened their doors to the alternative masses.
Talk of the recession hitting takings seems to be far fetched, history tells us that when times are tough people party hard. London’s nightlife isn’t lost, it’s still around and as always it’s moving to its own beat, it’s adapting and heading out of the centre of town. With the much publicised Westminster rent hikes it’s not really surprising that cheaper boroughs with good transport connections like Vauxhall have suddenly become popular.
What can’t be replaced is all the history that had been demolished by the closure of the Astoria, Astoria 2 and even the Metro and it’s unlikely that we’ll find other venues like them; the Astoria was perfect, just small enough for new emerging bands, yet big enough for intimate gigs for more established artists.
For now we’ve got the prospect of a new replacement venue somewhere within the Cross rail development to look forward to and in the meantime we can hope that those new, young promoters start taking over bars in our part of town.

CE For 3E News

Can Art Make Us Happy?

2009-02-25T16:34:00.007Z

Last month, a collective gathered at the Institute of Contemporary Art to discuss whether or not Art can make us happy in this time of socio-economic gloom and if it can provide the imaginative space needed to make us feel better. The panel included the Panacea artists Neil Bromwich, Zoe Walker and Michael Pinsky whose collaborative project explores the notion of artwork as a social cure-all, Nicolas Bourriaud a curator at the Tate, the deputy director of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Sian Ede and the editor Jane Wernick.
Sian Ede suggested the pursuit of happiness is an American way of life, where one desires a constant state of guaranteed happiness and due to America’s involvement in several world activities which have not proved as fruitful as they would have liked this dream has been made slightly more difficult in the 20/21st century. Many artists do not set out to make their audience happy and the very few that try to struggle. Here she cited the Hayward Gallery “Laughing in a Foreign Language” exhibition last year which was supposed to explore the role of humour and laughter in contemporary art but instead led to many straight faces and unimpressive reviews.

The Panacea collective, who have managed to pull off several rather interesting projects, including a floating plastic iceberg hot tub, intend to cure social, political and economic problems. The hot tub project proved successful in this mission as all the trialists who were randomly selected to grace the floating iceberg hot tub were impressed and achieved a sense of happiness in their experience. However, most probably this sense of elation was due to the fact that this was a free offering to spend some time in a hot tub. One does not envisage the project would have enjoyed the same success if there was a charge to enter the hot tub, which is clearly what will happen once a firm decides to snap them up, and they will undoubtedly not go for cheap either.

Jane Wernick, editor of Building Happiness; Architecture to make you smile, hinted that whilst gross domestic product was up, happiness is still flat and wonders if it is at all achievable. Being a structural engineer, she suggested when designing schools, libraries and other institutions, it is imperative to incorporate break-up spaces where people can randomly bump into each other and stop for a brief conversation which usually makes each of the individuals happy. She also agreed along with the panel after an audience member’s suggestion that self expression is far too prominent in modern art and may perhaps be a reason for art not making the audience happy.
Essentially, it is also rather difficult to measure and evaluate the level of happiness after viewing art or architecture.
Nicolas Bourriaud was adamant individuals always have a personal battle with the artist and the art work when viewing. During the potential individual experience of happiness in front of art we often read too much in to it thus losing the spur of the moment happiness within seconds of discovering it. Builders and architects, Bourriaud suggested, should be regarded highly as their job involves building places where we go in search of a more prolonged happiness and they therefore have a rather important role to play in our lives and general happiness. Bourriaud further commented that purchasing art for yourself whether in the form of a nice ceramic bowl or a painting tends to make us happy as one sees it nearly everyday and expect visitors that notice it to appreciate it just as much as you do.
The panel agreed that perhaps the problem lies with the critical eye of the viewer, who instead should appreciate the effort put in to an art work rather than whether it makes them happy or not. Perhaps this selfish struggle for happiness and its constant evaluation is what diminishes it in the first place. Art may struggle to make us happy but like Narcissus, Pygmalion, Aphrodite and Helen of troy, the philosophy of beauty/art and happiness always led to tragedy so one should not analyze it to such an extent that it disappears whilst still in front of our eyes.

3E For 3E News

The Last Polaroid Christmas

2009-02-09T11:21:00.010Z

If you went to Andy Warhol’s factory hangout during the height of seventies glamour and said to him “In forty years time, vinyl will be almost obsolete, cameras will fit in to your pocket and Christmas 2008 will be your last with your beloved Polaroid”, I have a feeling he’d erupt in to a fit of chuckles and say “Gee, you are such a Joker”. Too bad he isn’t here now to see how the digital age really has claimed so much of our much loved past. So long analogue TV, farewell VHS and now we must bid adieu to the Polaroid camera; a loss many of us will mourn for many Christmases to come.

In this digital era, where trends must be pragmatic to thrive and where the real money making is in the latest technologies, the Polaroid camera is a breath of fresh air. Polaroid means simplicity, it means rawness, it means nostalgia and as a wistful generation, you’re not alone in your quest to keep the past alive. Picture yourself as a freckle-nosed youngster, your parents at family functions capturing precious moments with the Polaroid camera you now call your own. “Cheese” mum would say and with that very instinctive whir, the machine would spit out a print and excitedly you would wait until the memory came into focus. Because that is the beauty of Polaroid; mystery clings to the impending image.

Today my mother, like most, has converted to a digital. The colours are sharp and it excuses our mistake all too easily- the blurry shot of father in front of the Christmas tree where his face seems to be lost amongst the baubles or the pictures of you and the cousins in front of the fire where your hair takes over half of the screen- delete, and they’re gone. My mother says digital doesn’t retain the magic or the satisfying click a Polaroid encompasses, just like the love/hate inconvenience of changing LP’s. “With Polaroid you have one chance to capture your composition and with your sleek image showcased in its ready-made white frame, you know it’s a one-off, a completely individual photograph. Digital is more convenient but with most heart-over-mind matters, logic doesn’t matter. Polaroid, like childhood rollerskates will be missed.”
Polaroid magic spread in 1948, when the company’s founder Edwin land put the first instant-camera on the shelves. The Model 95 camera costing the equivalent of £560 today made photography geeks worldwide excitable, but it wasn’t until the late 1960s that the Polaroid really excited the snappy happy. Iconic Polaroid user Warhol frequented the voguish hangouts in Manhattan and captured social events on his Minox 35mm camera but later dabbled with Polaroid, snapping famous faces at hipster hub Studio 54. He would ask visitors at his factory to photograph their genitals and Warhol said ‘It’s incredible what people will do if you ask them.’ For Warhol the Polaroid camera combined two of his obsessions- the disposable nature of modern consumerism and the photograph as ready-made and his Polaroids along with other film prints have provided a valuable insight into the creative process of the artist behind the camera .
A book titled ‘Exposures’ published in 1985 is a collection of Warhol’s best photos, both achieved with his Minox and Polaroid. He is known to have said, “My idea of a good picture is one of a famous person doing something unfamous. It’s about being in the right place at the wrong time.” The rich art-school kids followed pursuit and plastered their bedroom walls with their instantly captured delights from their every day lives and more recently skinny-jeans wearing east-enders seem to get all nostalgic by trading there souped-up super-lensed SLRs for more quirky Polaroids and began experimenting with turntables as opposed to sticking with MP3s.

The popularisation of Polaroid in the seventies coincided with society’s rebellion against fine media and the arrival of the sx-70 colour Polaroid in1972 was deemed ‘One of the great new cameras’ and the ‘Boswell of American life’ in Time magazine. Conceptual artists liked photographs that were as unartistic, unpretentious and close to the ordinary snapshot (or even photo-booth portrait) as possible. They adored Polaroid. With photographers preferring the real, raw image as opposed to previous over flamboyant artistic vision, a new type of photography was born- Straight Ups. King of straight ups, was and ultimately still is, Paul Hartnett. Hartnett first started using a Polaroid camera at the age of nine back in 1969. He documented Leigh Bowery's legendary club Taboo using a Polaroid, as well as other formats, and was sponsored by Polaroid UK Ltd for over fifteen years, snapping clubland characters, as can be seen on www.paulhartnett.com. Even today he keeps Polaroid close to heart. “Polaroid photographs were cheap, instant, trashy. But, kind of a fabulous one off too, rather like a Daguerreotype. Now there is the alternative of the low-res digital images that end up on the popular social networking sites, images that will not last, unlike the wonderfully framed images that people shook when they did not actually need to be dried.”
Since Polaroids hey-day of the seventies, it has been a stable medium for many. Police once used it to capture mug shots, doctors used it to monitor patient’s skin conditions, casting directors used it to photograph models and artists and photographers used it to create majestical art many of which have become iconic images of the past. David Hockney, Chuck Close, Helmut Newton and Juergen Teller have all been successful with their idiosyncratic friend and since the announcement in February of Polaroid closing down its film production on the Eve of 2009, photographers such as Rankin and Jenn Howe have celebrated their time spent with the 60-second machine with special projects. Rankin decided it was important to “Do one more project before it finishe[d]”.Fashion photographer Jenn Howe is one "Polaroidoholic" who has been working solely with Polaroid film for 11 years. Her obsession began with curiosity coupled with the ‘cute aesthetic’ of her camera and the photographs themselves. “As soon as I started shooting, I was obsessed. I took Polaroids of everything. It's something about the sense of urgency and the immediacy that Polaroid pictures inexplicably possess. People argue that digital cameras provide the same instant gratification - but digital photos seem dead to me. They don't seem to have the same magic or energy that a Polaroid does.” Unlike the conceptual artists of the seventies Jenn’s theory about Polaroid is different. “My theory is that these simple, Lo-Fi machines actually challenge you. Any person can take a great shot using some high-tech wonder of a camera -it does all the work for you” and that is how Jenna YA you can distinguish between the okay photographers and the truly great ones. “With such a simple camera, there are so many limitations. You only have so much flash available, no zoom capabilities, no focus (on the simpler models), limited depth of field... you are working within very tight confines. To take a great photo such strict limitations is truly a test of skills. You must be hughly creative with the positioning of your subjects, framing and the available lighting.”
The news of the Polaroid going the way of the dodo bird has caused Jenn to stock up on Polaroid film, like a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter months. “I'm desperate for film. It’s like, "Hmmmm....can I sell some of my plasma this week? My eggs? A kidney? Anything so I can afford some more Polaroid film!”The rest of the fashion industry is also mourning the loss too. Publicists, modelling agencies, casting directors and designers use the film daily and it has become synonymous with the look of the fashion world. Model cards, fashion editorials, campaigns, catwalk cues are all Polaroid-ed, so how will the industry cope? A spokeswoman from FM Models said “Polaroid cameras will be missed, that is a certainty, but we must adapt to the change and look to the future instead of the past. It is easy to become devoted to something, even if it’s limited in its function. I can guarantee Polaroid will still be around for some time in fashion, and when it finally disappears, many will be interested in paying homage to its creamy, dreamy aesthetic.”Despite industries choosing pragmatic living over yesterday’s out-of-date practices, , I for one am a huge offender of being a notoriously nostalgic being. Despising the sieve of life where separation feelings, thoughts, people and objects are diverted from Memory Lane to Amnesia Avenue, it is important to sit back now and again, dust off your Smiths vinyl and remember Christmas ’ gone by, by sifting through a shoebox of yellowing Polaroids.

LH For 3E News

Electronic Music Progress Report From Late 2008

2009-02-09T10:35:00.010Z

Many of the new musical trends that seemed at the beginning of 2008 to herald a new direction for electronic music are now looking tired, and over-saturated by poor sound-a-likes. The ultra distorted Justice and Ed Banger crew seem to be running out of steam, with their latest compilation, Ed Rec Vol 3, featuring only one real standout track – DJ Medhi’s 'Pocket Piano', an acid house/ disco exploration of just how beautiful a song one man could make with a piano. Justice’s popularity rose to the point that even a television appearance in the Simpsons didn’t seem out of the question.
Throughout 2008, a new trend seemed to be replacing this whole sound, a sound that has been heralded as global/gutter bass by many. It embodies bits of electro, house, Baltimore club, dubstep, hip hop, rap, and lots of bass. Labels such as Mad Decent and Trouble & Bass championed it, with nights like Night Slugs in London leading the movement, with artists like Drop The Lime, Mumdance, L Vis 1990, Herve, Sinden and many others forming the frontrunners. The key to this Global Bass movement seemed to be that any genre of electronic music was ripe to be sampled and imitated, creating a melting pot of styles. Other countries than the US and the UK even got in on the act, with DJ Mujava, whose hit Township Funk hailed from Africa, and ruled dancefloors in 2008, and Buraka Som Sistema whose Portuguese style of house music, branded as ‘Kuduro’, won them a signing with Fabric for their debut album.

For those that didn’t embrace this new ‘bass’ movement, a more techno/minimal orientated sound was also on the rise – with DJs like Brodinski and Erol Alkan championing it, and producers like Popof and Style of Eye destroying dancefloors the world over. This more techey sound spread to other genres as well – with producers like Shackleton, Appleblim and the whole Skull Disco crowd making dubstep with a more minimaley/techey feel. Appleblim’s ‘Vansan’ seemed to set “a techno orientated trend that pushed the genre in a new direction”. This new direction was further cemented by each and every Skull Disco release – first Ricardo Villalobos remixed Shackleton, and then Shackleton remixed Villalobos’ 'Minimoonstar'. Even electroclash producers like Tiga tried their hand at a more techey feel, with tracks like 'Mind Dimension'.
The Skull Disco label was not the only one to go in a new direction. Dubstep, which was once largely a united front, seems now to have split into many different groups and styles. Skream, Benga, Coki and Caspa’s wobbly ‘thugstep’, the techno sound I alluded to above, and another group that was labeled by many critics as ‘wonky’. Made up of producers like Ikonika, Zombie, Joker, Rustie, Starkey, and championed by Kode 9’s Hyperdub label, some of the most exciting dubstep releases of 2008 came from this group – Zombie’s 'Strange Fruit', Joker’s 'Gully Brook Lane', Ikonika’s 'Please' – all of these saw massive approval from a wide range of DJs. This style, first championed by Kode 9 and Flying Lotus on their one off Rinse FM Show from Late 2007. A particular highlight for me from the whole ‘wonky’ crew was Joker’s collaboration with Rustie ‘Play Doh’, full of squealing synths and full fat square wave bass. Big things are in store for this whole group of producers in 2009, but we can only hope that someone thinks up a better name for the movement.

Flying Lotus and Kode 9’s Rinse FM show was not the only one to pioneer a new musical movement in 2008. Marcus Nasty and Mak10’s September mix for Rinse FM was said by many critics to be the moment ‘funky’ happened. “UK funky is a style of modern electronic dance music related to UK garage that is influenced by latin music. It mixes traditional UKG beats, bass loops and synths with latin percussion and contemporary R&B-style vocals.” Again, this new movement was based on a combination of many genres – grime, funky, tribal house, bassline, garage. The primary exponents of funky are Geneeus, Mak 10, Supa D, Crazy Cousins and Marcus Nasty, and it has replaced bassline, garage and RnB in many clubs as the music for the average punter. This must in part be to its dual nature – one side is what some critics have described as “chardonnay music” – cheap and fizzy, frivolous, popular with both girls and boys, an alternative to bassline. However, grittier, more hard edged and more minimal strains of funky are beginning to appear – Donaeo’s 'African Warrior' being a prime example. For a guide to whats big in Funky, FACT’s Kiran Sande ‘We don’t do boring’ did a funky special at the tail end of 2008.

Disco also saw a resurgence in 2008, with disco nights springing up all over the country, and labels like Italians Do It Better, DFA and Phantasy championing the new disco sound. Artists like Joakim, the Emperor Machine, Fan Death, Hercules and Love Affair, Riton, Aeroplane, In Flagranti and Juan Maclean were the most popular. In a horrible parody of nu rave, some took to calling this new trend nu disco… For an hour long guide to the new (note the spelling…) disco trend, Erol Alkan’s podcast Disco 3000, serves as a perfect introduction.

Regardless of whether you listened to any of these new musical trends in 2008, 2009 will only see them getting better and popular, so why not try something a bit different, and explore the options.

BW For 3E News

Take That Robbie

2009-01-09T10:22:00.001Z

Just over a month ago, gossip-mongers across the country worked themselves silly by the revelation that one of our nation’s greats, the self acclaimed pop king Robbie Williams, had brought to us all: up there in cyberspace he said in his very own words that, like some prodigal son of pop, he wanted to swagger back into the arms of his old band mates Take That.
Believable? That he’s yearning for any spare press and we’re happy to lap it up, yes. But let’s take a step back and attempt (through our undoubted excitement and anticipation, of course) to make a balanced evaluation of the situation and the claims of all involved. The Sun newspaper seems to think that Robbie allegedly buying a new £7 million mansion in the UK is proof enough that a reunion is imminent. We should also not forget the brand new tattoo of a Take That logo that Robbie just got on his arm to declare his love for one of either ‘The Circus’, or his distant past.
Here is where this writer becomes sceptical. Barlow has been quoted as saying that “the five of us were together a lot over the summer and it felt like we were back in the ‘90s.” This comment raises issues on two counts. “Back in the ‘90s” is over now; why, with all the current success of Take That, should they or we (either as critics or fans) want them to regress to the Take That of more than a decade previous? The notion of them all being friends again is heart-warming, admittedly, but this “getting to know him again” could arguably be seen as a little forced considering “Mark gets an email every other week” from Robbie – hardly the signs of a Take That-style brotherly love blooming again. Even the band is unsure about how or when this fantasised reunion is going to occur.
Gary says he believes they’ll fully reform one day, while Mark “doubt[s] it’d ever be a prepared, organised thing. If he does turn up it’ll be a nice surprise”. Such confusion and contradiction could tell us that this is no desperate press-seeking or hoax on their behalf, but it is rather more likely the media’s hysteria over, sadly, something with little conviction in it.
Robbie himself claims that “the thing that struck [him] most is how much fun they’re having”. It’d be easy to see “fun” as a blatant euphemism for “success”, but there is another angle to this. We should really question this idea of Robbie’s supposed craving for success as part of a band again. Apparently he’s lonely and “it’s more rewarding when you’re a gang”, but six of his albums selling over 2 million copies in the UK to Take That’s one says that this assumed greed for more glory might not be all that true; will they ever do anything as successful and important for pop music as ‘Angels’? It’s undeniable that the last couple of records have flopped, and that Robbie became the nation’s joke as opposed to their boy wonder, but rumour has it that recently his loneliness has been reduced at least in part by making up with Guy Chambers to start writing a supposedly brilliant new album.
This album, expected some time in 2009, will be the last due to EMI after the high point of his career (and, let’s be honest, of pop music) when Robbie signed the biggest record deal in history for £80 million in 2002. So when Robbie claims he has “unfinished business” to attend to before a reunion with Take That can happen, we can assume that contractual issues may be causing the hold-up. Interest from labels is expected to rise again as soon as the EMI deal is finished, undoubtedly helped along by this press, so there could be a chance of Polydor catching Robbie and inviting him back to the Take That fold for real.
Are we to condemn or celebrate these rumours of a reunion? Let’s say, for a second, that we believe it will happen. Will it be, as Mark Owen suggests, a live return? Then a whole tour, or maybe a one-off performance at the Brits? Or is this to be a full-blown regrouping? We all assume Williams’ greed to be his incentive, but frankly that greed won him fans before. The cheeky “are you seriously this arrogant?” boastfulness is what makes Robbie a singular persona and entity now though, and somehow making him a backing singer for Gary Barlow again just would not work. Perhaps pop fans should be happy to celebrate Take That’s current success as a four-piece and pray that Robbie’s next offering will be as good as we all want it to be; this nostalgia is only useful up to a certain point in a musical landscape that barely (if at all) resembles that of 1995.

RP With Research By MH

Free Theatre Initiative

2008-12-10T13:12:00.001Z

In September, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Arts Council announced its plans to offer free tickets to arts events to under-26-year-olds. Following on from the Government’s commitment to free access to museums, as well as more recently swimming, this fantastic scheme will start in February 2009 with an Open Stage Week in up to 95 publicly-funded theatres across the country. This week will run during the most common half-term dates of 16th-22nd February so that it can be enjoyed by its target audience and is designed to introduce families and young people to the theatre and arts world. To encourage this, backstage tours and speeches about the theatre and its operations will also be offered. Then from the 23rd February, the main programme will commence until March 2011. Tickets can be retrieved at least once a week whether you are with a group of people or simply on your own, on a first come first served basis, suggesting that it is not purely a profitable scheme. Its aim is to give increased cultural opportunities to young people as well as to get young adults interested in the theatre as the age range 18-26 is when traditionally arts attendance drops. But why have they introduced this scheme? What factors see less people within this age bracket attending the theatre and what attempts have been made to try and rectify this problem?

One of the reasons why the DCMS and the Arts Council may have introduced this scheme is to enhance the lives of future generations. As well as a leisure activity, the theatre can educate and enrich an audience. It helps develop cultural awareness, cultural skills, as well as community interaction. In education, children are taken to the theatre on school outings; these outings are not purely for the entertainment of the pupils, but they are designed to educate through the power of story and they also help nurture social skills and manners in a new and probably less familiar environment. More so than museum visits or field trips, there is a certain way to behave and you have to have considerations for others who are watching the show. After education, children are less likely to take the initiative to go to the theatre independently despite the fact they may want to, as they simply cannot afford it. These are the people that this scheme is aimed at. One of the points on the guidance document for this project states that this scheme is not for youth groups or school visits, but is designed for individuals to book independent visits. 18-26 is the age range, as mentioned above, that art attendance tends to drop at, and the age when young adults develop. By introducing this scheme, they can set the stage for these young adults to enjoy and indulge in the theatre in order to eventually grow into someone who will be willing to pay to watch shows, inadvertently building a new audience over a period of time that will eventually be contributing to the economy.

The theatre, like many aspects of culture, has practising elitists. Theatre land has attempted to make shows more accessible and appeal to the general public by introducing reality televisions shows such as ‘Any Dream will Do” and “I’d Do Anything” on to our screens. These document attendees to open auditions who showcase their talent in order to star in the latest musical sensation. For those who may be more cynical of such shows, its redeeming point is that it is produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and he is heavily involved in the show, deciding who goes through to the live show finals and each week having the final say over who goes. The public vote for their favourites each week and they watch the turbulent journey that each of the contestants go through, pulling on the heart-strings of the public. It is designed to get more people to attend the theatre as they feel a connection with the stars. But are these people the ones who are attending the shows? Will this really inspire the average person to go to an independent theatre to watch a play, not a musical in the tourist central West End? Some shows, such as Chicago continually enlist household names in order to appeal to the masses and everywhere we go these are the shows that are being advertised. Britain is full of great thespians such as Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs and Ian McKellen and although they are household names, they are only so due to their ability as actors- this is where the line should be drawn at celebrity actors. The initiative will show that there is more to theatre than our celebrity obsessed world. By working with independent theatres, it will show that there can be emotion and a connection with a character through the power of their acting, not simply because you watched their journey from day one on the television.

Students and young adults are always looking for cheap ways to entertain themselves and with theatre prices exceeding £10, even with concessions, there will always be cheaper alternatives. Free tickets however will be much more attractive to these people. It will also help to dissolve the elitist attitude that is associated with the theatre, making it accessible for all youngsters. But whether this scheme will have any long-term impact remains to be seen. This scheme lasts for two years and to a certain age group; after this period, how many people will be willing to pay for tickets after previously getting them for free? Once you know it is possible for the government to introduce measures such as this, it may be hard to accept you eventually have to pay.

SE For 3E News With Research by 3E

Housse De Racket

2008-12-10T12:55:00.001Z

Take two college friends with a love of Gainsbourg, add some Pheonix and a good dose of chilled French electro and combine it with… tennis? What has tennis got to do with music? Apart from the obvious (they are both played on stringed instruments) it’s Housse de Racket, who have just released their debut album Forty Love, a concept album that tells the story of two tennis players called Vico Vix and Repi Rep, winners in the sport and losers in love. McEnroe may have made tennis rock n roll but these two ace it into the airwaves.

Housse de Racket are Pierre and Victor, two old grunge fans who, after initially ignoring each other, got talking one day after they both walked out sporting Pearl Jam T-shirts. It wasn't just Eddie Vedder they had in common, both loved sports but they excelled in music. Before long they were jamming together in a funk group.

With the 'French Touch' still misting the air, Victor and Pierre started recording their first record, a hard house digital mix that was eaten by their hard drive and beaten by Daft Punk's Discovery. From then, with a little hand from fate, Housse de Racket took on a new approach - racket the house, they literally beat a new approach into house and the tennis concept was born.

They’ve ping ponged around the 'French Touch' groups; supported the likes of Phoenix and Yelle, and Victor recently played with The Teenagers at Glastonbury; on Forty Love they worked with Gonzales and Renaud Letang and they’re sponsored by Lacoste. Not a bad start, but where do they go from here? Well, not London it would seem, not in the near future at least, at the moment they are busy touring France. Was there ever a better excuse to hop on a train for the short trip to Paris than this? Catch them now on their home grass before everyone and their mum is talking about them.
www.myspace.com/houssederacket

CE For 3E News With Research By GM

Festival Outlook

2008-12-05T15:48:00.001Z

The question has been asked for some time now, but perhaps it really is the moment to face the future of our festivals. The Summer of 2008 produced more festivals than the British public could handle, and a grand shift in profit and sponsorship that hit some hard.
Michael Eavis recently disclosed to BBC 6Music that 2008’s Glastonbury had made no profit for the first time in its 39-year history. The onset of the credit crunch, recession and all manner of other woes to go alongside was imminent at the time of the festival, and Eavis cited growing costs of fuel, staging, staff and numerous other aspects of the event as being part of the issue. With the economic crisis now bearing into our lives much more prominently and on a day-to-day basis, the problem is almost certain to continue into next year’s festival schedule - for the UK and, quite probably, beyond our shores as well.

It is arguable, of course, that huge profit is not and should not be on the agenda for Glastonbury: it simply doesn’t fit in with the spirit and ideology of the weekend. Over £1 million was still raised for charity in 2008, a pretty admirable total by any standard. But this, however selfish it may seem, is not the issue at hand. The organisers have nothing left to invest in 2009’s event, which is estimated to cost around £22 million to put on. It’s a shocking figure. Did anyone think about that kind of thing when refusing to buy a ticket this year for the simple fact that Jay Z was playing?

Poor ticket sales played a part in this lack of profit too, of course. Thank goodness, then, that 2008’s Glastonbury Festival received rave reviews and restored our faith in it continuing to be one of the best and most prestigious festivals, not just in the country, but in the world.

Despite this renewed faith in Glastonbury, however, the event in 2009 still has to sell out if it is to be financially viable for it to go ahead. Inevitably and obviously this is down to the music fans and the approach they take to the changing climate that is the Festival Summer. Glastonbury’s veritable well of die-hard followers may seem bottomless, but even this factor was criticised last year for making the atmosphere somewhat stale by not connecting enough with a younger demographic. Emily Eavis commented that 2008 “saw the most diverse audience for ten years”, so we can perhaps hope for a new injection of youthful spirit to return to another successful weekend in 2009.
The system for purchasing tickets for next year’s festival is in fact already proving triumphant and agreeable with our ongoing money concerns. The opportunity for placing a £50 deposit and waiting until next year to complete the payment has appealed to many festival-goers who now have the time to save up (or at least wait until Christmas) for the £175 total needed. For most the price is a fair one, being the same as last year’s and, in relation to many other live events, amazing value for money. The complaints last year that the youth of today have no means to afford such a cost can also be, in part, silenced by this new system, and the evident benefits of it have been proven by the fact that around 100,000 tickets for 2009’s event have already been sold.
Perhaps these facts alone say enough to reassure the live industry that music fans are still willing to pay large amounts to attend festivals. “The Industry” has hardly made it easy for us, though. 2008 saw notably more festivals than ever before, making for major lapses in judgement in some cases and a lack of satisfactory ticket sales in many.

Surrey’s Redfest, despite having a wealth of largely excellent bookings, was subject to the latter and unfortunately cancelled, while the increase in festivals saw an increase in corresponding line-ups, and therefore arguably somewhat of a depletion in both variety and quality of music on offer. Fair enough, the growing DIY nature of the live industry (and otherwise) has empowered people to develop their own dream weekends, but the past Summer is surely proof enough that the idea cannot fit the reality, and certainly is confined to limits within the British festival schedule. A fine example of this realisation was Z008 in Kent, an apparent shambles from unjustified start to welcome finish. Acts weren’t paid and headliners pulled out, the co-operation of staff was inefficient and there were even questions concerning health and safety. Amazingly, tickets for Z009 are now on sale, but 2008’s attendees can surely only be waiting with baited breath for the announcement of a cancellation.
There was, however, some success in the rally of anti-corporate-gain festival promotion, as the Reading and Leeds weekends were as good as ever despite Carling pulling out of sponsorship after nine years with the festival. Fine, those two are hardly against major profit margins or shameless advertising, but it shows that large festival organisers can still rely on music fans to buy tickets and can hold on to this belief throughout setbacks; Reading and Leeds are another pair that will seemingly always deliver an outstanding line-up and a brilliant weekend.

Comparatively much more independent and yet perhaps just as critically acclaimed this year were the more small scale and humble events – selective and unique, they catered for fans of actual alternative music and captured a quaint British Summer atmosphere for all involved. These could spell the end for larger festivals, given their appeal to music fans on numerous levels, or they could arguably be their own downfall in the not quite so distant future. These events are cool for being small, popular for being so hushed up: the secret surely cannot last too long before masses of promoters jump on board yet again.All that is left to debate is whether the bizarre occurrences of the Summer of 2008 are an anomaly in the face of a change in live promotion and, indeed, in our economy, or whether they are an insight into the future of our Festival Summer. It’s worrying to see that the latter is probably the likely outcome.

RP For 3E News with Research by MH

GOBAMA!

2008-12-05T14:28:00.001Z

GOBAMA! was definitely my favourite campaign poster. It was countered by Nobama, which was also funny but not quite as good.
Aside from the puns, one of the best images I found on my search for Obama art was a painting showing him wading through a river of red roses, dressed in an open white robe while a white stallion gallops behind him. The sky is a dramatic pink and huge beams of light shine down on Barack’s gleaming figure. Very biblical.

It seems that the majority of the poster art displayed in favour of Obama shows strong parallels with Communist propaganda posters. The simple posters look like screen prints, and commonly use the colours of the American flag. The prints are of the Presidents face, and usually have one word in thick type at the bottom, showing strong similarities with Russian Communist posters. The posters are blunt and bold, but surprisingly unimposing.

However the same cannot be said for John McCain’s posters; the posters in support of America’s Republican candidate are possibly the most patriotic and 'American' things I have ever seen. I found one which consists of a background of clouds at sun set, on top of which is a feathered and faded photograph of wise old Mr McCain looking very deep and thoughtful. There are four war planes flying over his head and the slogan 'PEACE IS BORN OF WISDOM'. All of this is contained in an acidic wash blue and black frame and at the bottom there is an American flag banner with the words ‘McCain 08’. It looks like something a child would make as a joke. But there is something quite sinister about the poster, maybe it's the planes or maybe it's the fact that he looks completely dead in the eyes or perhaps it’s because he is a giant head in the sky and if you actually put this into perspective you'd have a John McCain about the size of Africa, and that is a very scary thought.

I found some of my favourite pieces of Obama art in the form of cakes, yep, cakes.

One masterpiece was a portrait of the president-elect using nothing but 1,240 cupcakes. Now that’s one sweet piece of art! One which was less successful was a chocolate cake with the caption 'YOUR VOTE COUNST' written in blue icing; so it's obvious no changes need to be made in their education system.

In one way, Obama winning the election is the end of an era in terms of art. I've never been one for political art, if you really hate your president maybe you should do something more than writing FUCK GEORGE BUSH across a canvas and then throwing it into a pile of other canvases which have FUCK GEORGE BUSH written across them, or picturing him with vampire teeth and bunny ears. Personally I'm rather glad to see that era end, but seriously, what are half the current 'artists' going to do now?

AG For 3E News with Research By AK

Victoriana Blouses

2008-11-17T07:26:00.001Z

Fashion is notoriously nostalgic, and this season is no exception, with designers taking a trip down memory lane to 1835 England. The romantic Victoriana trend is high on drama this time round, with chin-grazing collars, floor-trailing skirts and beautiful billowing shirt sleeves, all of which can be dressed down for the office or given a spunky edge with attitude-ridden accessories.

While most of us contend with the daily hassles of crowded calenders and too little time, it’s nice to inject a little romance back into our lives. But as the saying goes, “less is more”, and this season's wardrobe basic, the blouse is back. It's autumn's most versatile piece, and no doubt will be your best buy all season.

On the catwalk, designer’s soft spots were seduced by old romantic novels and photographs, with Victorian nuances putting a fragile accent on a normally androgynous basic. Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent created silk shirts, with early Victorian style sleeves, strong buttoned-down collars and delicate pin tucking. He overturned the fragility by putting his gang in strong femme fatale black bobs and dominatrix style patent booties. Likewise at Givenchy, the collection had a dark, romantic and faintly goth aesthetic, with the blouse varying in design from frothy blouses in chiffons to crisp white tuxedo-style shirts. For those with a fear of frill, there were fuss-free options at Prada and Moschino. With ornate deep cuff blouses at Prada and at Moschino, pinafores over shirts made way for vivid imagery of Victorian school children.

In a season that has embraced proper grown-up clothes, the kind of functional stuff we call “investment dressing”, look to the blouse for encompassing the deadly combination of power and femininity and dig deep for classic items from Vivienne Westwood and Burberry Prorsum.

LH For 3E News

blouse pic courtesy of www.net-a-porter.com

Label Profile - Mooka Kinney

2008-11-17T07:08:00.001Z

Most women will admit to having a rebellious side. But at the end of the day, very few can deny that they love to wear something uncompromisingly pretty. Hankering to swap the androgynous look of the past few seasons for ultimate sassy chic, live-in best friends and now business partners Rachel Antonoff and Alison Lewis have created Mooka Kinney, a label fit for the modern Alice as she prances through her wonderland.

It was back in 2005, that the two creative’s met, but it was their love for alternative music that initially made them inseparable. “I had a room for rent in my New York apartment, and Alison and I had a mutual friend that knew Ali needed a new place to live, I was heavily into underground singer Joanna Newsom, Alison came in and was like ‘Is that Newsom playing?’, I knew we were destined!”.

It was two years after the girls initially bonded over Newsom, that they decided to start making clothes recalls Rachel, “The two of us loved vintage dresses- that was another of our shared things, and we started to talk about how we wished there were dresses that were more vintage-like that were mass-marketed.” Alison continues, “We kept talking, and realised we should quit the talking and get on with it. So we literally just got our shit together- and that was like a year ago.” Despite the lack of formal fashion training, the pair learnt about princess seams and empire waists by dissecting their favourite finds from vintage stores, and with help from a friend in the textile business they began to make a selection of sample dresses whilst spreading the name Mooka Kinney amongst the numerous connections Rachel made as a former Fashion PR girl for Rebecca Taylor.

Two years on, a collection at the big apple’s Barney’s and two shows at New York Fashion Week later is testimony to their immediate success. Mooka Kinney’s super-coy aesthetic and sublime silhouettes, which summon the inner-child out to play, have dressed famous faces, like songstresses Lily Allen and Zooey Deschanel as well as fashion mogul Lily Donaldson and the fateful artist who brought the girls together- Joanna Newsom. “Newsom wears our dresses”, says Rachel, “We couldn’t have hoped for a bigger achievement”.

Alison’s favourite dress from their three collections so far, ‘Narnia’, plays homage to her favourite make belief land as a youngster, but Rachel says she prefers the ultra-girly dresses that can be “injected with attitude” through her preference for wearing cowboy boots and bluntly cut bangs. She continues, “Sometimes when I’m wearing MK, I feel like the bad-ass older sister in ‘The Wonder Years’ or a school girl in the ‘60s who would get caught smoking in the bathroom, time and time again”.

So what does the future hold for these girls, for whom Mooka Kinney was only a year ago, just a fun side project? “It’s literally like waking up in someone else’s life every day”, says Rachel, “We obviously hope the success for MK continues, but if it was all cut short tomorrow, we can still relish in the fact we’ve dressed our idol!”

LH For 3E News

The Evolution of the Saatchi Gallery

2008-11-08T03:52:00.001Z

On 9 October 2008, the Saatchi Gallery opened its new premises in the former headquarters of the Duke of York's regiment on Kings Road in Chelsea. Against a backdrop of boutique shops, street-side restaurants and vast greenery, this classic nineteenth century building fits perfectly, although its new job of housing a contemporary art gallery could be viewed as strange. The exterior and interior are contradictory, with the former a typical example of neo-classicalism, with its large Doric portico gracing the entrance and the latter a typical example of a modern museum with its minimalist approach of fifteen standard white galleries artificially lit. The interior and exterior both suit their purpose, which is more than can be said about Saatchi’s last location at County Hall along the South Bank.

Saatchi’s move to County Hall in 2003 was, and still is, viewed by critics as an unsuitable space to exhibit contemporary art. Inspired by an Edwardian Baroque style when it was built in the early twentieth century, its ornamental interior managed to detract from most of the art that was displayed inside. One review on the opening of the Saatchi Gallery at County Hall suggested that, although they applauded him for his vision to abandon conforming to the idea of a modern gallery with large white open spaces, certain works came off badly in the heavily decorated surroundings and saw the art struggle to stand out. Although a prime location for tourists to come and visit (it’s location was by attractions such as the London Eye, the London Aquarium and was across the river from Big Ben), even Charles Saatchi referred to the County Hall location as a “major cock-up” in a recent interview, as its rooms were small with dark wood panelling. In 2005 however, the gallery was taken to court by the landowners of the site over a ‘breach of contract’ and Saatchi announced his plans to move to the new location in Chelsea.

This move is seen as a return to the original Saatchi Gallery space of St John’s Wood, except in a better location. It has taken time to create the space that now exists with the interior being completely rebuilt; however, attention to detail is not the main point of this structure. Upon approaching the gallery, you would expect a heavily ornate interior with columns and pilasters, but when entering, you are greeted by a small, open reception space that quashes any expectations you may have had. The galleries are large white boxes with high ceilings that contain a soft light. This enhances the plain settings which provide a less disruptive platform from which to study the art. It also makes you very aware of the surrounding space. Each room is like a blank canvas itself, and the art within decorates it. It is a very modern construction and you are only reminded of the historical fabric as you enter the vast hallways to ascend the staircases, here is the only evidence of the original brick work. True to the theme of contradictions, while the Saatchi gallery has taken over twenty years to evolve to its current state the first exhibition on display is entitled The Revolution Continues: New Chinese Art.

One point that the gallery prides itself on is the fact that through the sponsorship of Phillips de Pury & Co auctioning house, it is now able to become “the only completely free-entry contemporary art museum of its size in the world”. All art work within each gallery does not have guides by their sides, but there is a picture by picture guide that you can buy at the entrance for the small fee of £1.50. It is not compulsory that you buy this guide, but even if you choose to, this price is in vast contrast to the £8.50 that people used to have to pay at County Hall. This is fitting with Saatchi’s principle of wanting to “bring contemporary art to the widest audience possible” as what better way to do so than not charge an admission fee? Although the location is not a tourist hot-spot like the County Hall on the South Bank, with the recession affecting everyone’s bank-balance, it is a real incentive for a cheap day out.

SE For 3E News and research by SA

Statuephila. But where was the arousal?

2008-11-08T03:51:00.003Z

If this is the “really tacky display” that Jonathan Jones warned us of in his Guardian art blog, then at least it's really well heated in here.

Statuephilia, the British Museum's current exhibition, consists of sculptures by five contemporary artists placed amongst the permanent collection. Each work is situated in a different gallery, and their settings have been cleverly thought out as each modern sculpture has which relate to, and are supposedly inspired by their ancient surroundings.

The first of the Statuephilia collection, placed in the entrance of the museum, is a sized down version of Antony Gormley's Angel of the North. When I walked into the museum I saw a man, arms stretched out in imitation whilst his ten year old daughter took a photo; Oh wow! I thought, I would love to see that photo! The statue is supposed to provide a clear link with the Egyptian, Assyrian and Classical statues in the museum's collection. However, with its isolation and lack of blurb to accompany it, it was almost impossible to know this. But at least people are getting a decent photo opportunity out of it, perhaps this, and not education, is at the top of the British Museum’s agenda during the crisis.

After struggling to find out exactly where it was placed, the next piece I went to see was Marc Quinn's Siren, a solid gold statue of supermodel Kate Moss. To understand the relevance of this sculpture you should know that the Statuephilia exhibition is based on the idea of agalmatophilia, where one feels desire and arousal towards an artificially created human form. This sculpture is by far the most publicised piece in the exhibition, with Kate Moss being given the ridiculous title of “Aphrodite of our times” in an attempt to justify her presence within the honourable British Museum. Quinn's piece is the largest gold statue since Ancient Egypt, and is placed, fittingly, amongst statues of beautiful, iconic women from Ancient Greece. Again a lack of blurb meant that anyone _______(Siren by Marc Quinn) _______ who hadn't read up on the exhibition would have no idea that the sculpture was made from solid gold. As I took my time forming my opinion on Quinn's piece, the man next to me declared 'I don't like sculpture.' Ok, I thought, so why are you here? Clearly agalmatophilia or Kate Moss doesn’t affect him in the way it’s meant to.

But after circling the Great Hall until I was dizzy in an attempt to find Damien Hirst's contribution, I began to agree with this insightful fellow. I may not excel at orienteering but it seemed as if someone had hidden the rest of the exhibition from me; was everyone else finding it this difficult? I eventually found Cornucopia, and realised I had walked into the room a few times before and just not seen it. Placed in a floor to ceiling book case was row upon row of paint-splattered skulls (200 to be exact). At first glance, they were hard to distinguish from the books in the cases around them. This was definitely my favourite piece in the exhibition. The dizziness had worn off now. I continued my self guided tour.

Next I went to see Ron Mueck's Mask II, which admittedly freaked me out. The sleeping self portrait was well placed, amongst Easter Island heads, but that was really the extent of my enjoyment of it. The piece was far too realistic for my liking and I felt as if I was having one of those distressing dreams where you wake up sweating believing your hand is now giant-sized or that your foot could fit in to a match box. But maybe that was intentional. As well as this, no one was talking about it so the only thing I have written in my notebook is 'I really don't like this - it's just weird'.

______________________(Mask II by Ron Mueck)

I ended my visit on Noble and Webster's silhouette piece. And alas! My eves dropping work finally paid off! Their sculpture is craftily assembled from dead rodents which were apparently teased and tortured by their feral farmyard cat. The work casts a shadow of the two artists’ faces, and is inspired by the mummified creatures of the ancient Egyptian world. But who cares? Because this piece won, hands down, the prize for best onlookers comment: 'I think that this is awesome,' said a young male punter, 'I think that this is proper art; fuck that white room and lights going on and off shit.' I didn't even bother to form my own opinion on the piece, I thought this would suffice.
(Dark Stuff by Tim Noble & Sue Webster, Top)

So that was that, my extremely confusing but well heated experience at the British Museum was over. And so back out I went, into the cold, but without that tingly agalmatophilic feeling I so wanted to experience.

AG For 3E News and research by SA

Art Vs The Credit Crunch

2008-11-08T03:38:00.001Z

Is the price of Art too high?

All around us the economic recession seems to be taking its toll on the world’s economy from dramatic falls in stocks and shares to soaring food prices, but what about the art market? How is this lucrative and fast growing market fairing at this time of financial insecurity? Have the auction houses lost the plot with their estimates? And what impact is the current economic climate having on artists themselves?

In June of this year one of Claude Monet’s large water lily paintings Le Bassin aux Nymphéas, sold for an amazing £40.1m, a record amount for a Monet anywhere in the world to date, despite the unstable economic climate and impending credit crunch.

(© Experience Music Project)

It was at this sale that Olivier Camu, head of impressionist and modern art at Christie's London explained that, “the art market is strong and it recognizes quality when it comes up. Art in the past has not followed stock market fluctuations, and also there is an element of people seeing it as a refuge.”

But is it utter desperation or because art is a secure financial “refuge” that Lehman Brothers Chairman, Richard Fuld , plans to boost his cash flow by auctioning 20 works at Christie’s in New York in November? Handed over to Christie’s for the sale, is reported to be a 1951 De Kooning, which was secured for a sum of around $20m back in July prior to the collapse of the bank.

The increasingly international nature of the art market means that if one or more countries struggles to produce buyers this should not dent the overall market dramatically. Whilst the US and Europe are creating financial rescue packages Russia and the Far East continue to thrive, with new buyers and collectors continually being born. We recall Roman Abramovich spending a cool £60m on a Lucian Freud and a Francis Bacon, and Sotheby's calling off its sale of Mstislav Rostropovich's art collection when the Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov bought the entire package for £20m. In the former USSR a new wave of Russian billionaires and business magnates forever seem to have money to spend and with this has developed a passion for art, being especially keen on reclaiming Russian art lost or deported during the years of the Soviet State. This can only be good news for those who snapped up Russian Cubo-Futurist and Suprematist works when there was little demand and prices were relatively low. _

(© Sothebys London)

____________Furthermore, the art market is vast. By this I mean that art in its quantity and range of choice is abundant, from all historic periods and in all mediums. Art will always exist and appreciation and demand for high quality art will never decrease. Film makers and new media artists may find themselves in a more risky situation at present, but paintings of quality will continue to sell. Painting is a particularly easy medium to buy and showcase, with the Monet sale being an example of this.

Whilst the art market started off in a formidable fashion at the beginning of the crisis, recent sales in Chinese art have brought the market back down to reality. In October at a Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong we saw 47 works go unsold after they did not reach their reserve prices. This poor sale is in stark contrast to the success of Damien Hirst who made £95m in his Sotheby’s auction in September. Representatives from Sotheby’s believed the Chinese auction flopped because of “estimates which were overly optimistic”. So perhaps it is Sotheby’s who needs to be brought back down to earth. Is the financial crisis merely highlighting the fact that art has become too expensive and auctioneers are becoming obsessed with breaking records?

For years now the art world has enjoyed unprecedented success, with prices rising all the time, therefore isn’t a slowdown in the market inevitable and could it possibly benefit the art world to be more realistic instead of greedy? Jonathon Jones wrote in his article “Art booms during a bust” for the Guardian that “a boom in artistic intensity is one of the few things we have to look forward to as the economy nosedives”. It has certainly been true in the past that economic depression has produced some of the best new artists and pieces. Perhaps it is time to invest more in new artists and projects, and in making art more accessible rather than unattainable for small collectors and art enthusiasts. Some artists seem prepared to adjust, such as sculptor Francis Upritchard, who when asked what she thought might happen if the art market followed the financial markets in a downward spiral replied, "I lived in a squat for six years, if I had to downgrade my studio, it wouldn't matter. I want to be an old lady making art. Perhaps I'll be out of fashion at 50, but trendy at 80".

(Picasso's Portrait of Angel Fernandez de Soto was expected to sell for $60m and was bought by Andrew lloyd Webber in 1995 for $28m © Christies)

With artists having to adapt to the current situation the art production of the next few years could be the most exciting we’ve seen in recent years. Similarly if auctioneers drop the ridiculous estimates, then action on the auction house floor should be exhilarating as we see rare and important pieces come under the hammer. The on-going controversy in New York over Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Picasso piece and its Nazi-era past gives us a glimpse of the potential drama possible in the art market. And at this time of down-sizing and cutting back what could be better than some artistic reinvigoration!

BW and HB For 3E News research by CK

HAT FASCINATION

2008-11-08T03:34:00.002Z

Old, new, borrowed, blue, vintage or custom-made, Yasmin Rizvi talks us through our mutual fascination.

Tightening our purse strings this month, what better way to spruce up an outfit than to accessorize. More to the point; with a hat.

Seen on the PPQ and John Rocha catwalks at 2008s September London Fashion Week, fascinators are the new season must-have favoured by burlesque beauty Dita Von Teese and our number one girl snogging, singing sensation Katy Perry.

Many of the most talented designers around are milliners with Philip Treacy, Prudence Millinery and 2008s Hat Designer of the Year, Yasmin Rizvi’s fantastical head creations. The beginning of Yasmin’s road to fashion started with an immediate obsession with materials on the silk route to China. She later graduated from the London College of Fashion, a distinction under her belt.

Rizvi won her title through designing and creating her enchanting headpieces from the couture range to ready-to-wear for her Rizvi Millinery collections. Her newest line is a collaboration with textile artist Ptoleny Mann in an attempt to create a sense stimulation of colour on colour pieces layered with Swarovski Crystals and huge blooms.

It’s clear from the start an awful lot goes into what some describe as ‘sculptural headpieces’. She refers to the glamour of eras gone by, capturing the essence of all hats represented and fascinators being her latest obsession.

Fascinators can be found anywhere upon close observation, from street market stalls like London’s Portobello Market (portobellomarket.co.uk), to small vintage shops in the heart of Soho. The big stores with the big names are currently stocking the designer versions with Harrods (harrods.com) and House of Fraser (houseoffraser.co.uk) being the top two picks. Up-and-coming milliners like university student Eloise Gill are setting up their own DIY sites having taken their hand to creating fascinators themselves, available online at www.myspace.com/_looliecreations.

It isn’t at all difficult to make them yourself, sometimes even better. Grab a pair of scissors, some superglue and bits and bobs from around the house and just...experiment!

Our Top 4 Hat Wearers

1) Dita Von Teese and her burlesque wonderfulness

2) Katy Perry - Forget the girls, we want her hats

3) The Queen - Well if it’s good enough for her...

4) Sarah Jessica Parker at the London premier of Sex and the City in Leicester Square

HW For 3E News

The (not-so-tentative) Relationship between Music and Fashion

2008-11-08T03:04:00.001Z

Earlier this year, when ‘relevant’ fashion model Agyness Deyn decided to extend her line of influence to The Stagnant Indie Music Scene and provide some lilting vocals for Some Shitty Indie Band, critics were up in arms – lamenting over the erstwhile ‘proper’ celebrity; a Proper model, a Proper singer, without any of this pretentious crossover nonsense. It seems that Santayana’s saying, ‘Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it,’ has become even more applicable in today’s disposable society – music and fashion have always been inextricably linked. Music is a social phenomenon – something deeply entrenched in culture and the trends of the time. Similarly, fashion is a cultural phenomenon – we associate a particular silhouette with, say, the 80s, and the cultural connotations to this mode of fashion are often directly linked with music – in the case of the 80s, we would associate clichés such as shoulder pads, puffballs and batwings with New Wave music – a stereotypical and less-than-valid association, but a common one nonetheless.

We can trace the relationship between music and fashion back hundreds of years – Mary E. Davis argued that since the time of Louis XIV, music and fashion have been intertwined among upper classes in her book, ‘Classic Chic: Music, Fashion and Modernism’. Similarly, she contended, the close relationship between the two mediums of art were integral in the rise of modernism – through Coco Chanel’s minimalist designs and the modernist compositions of the ‘Les Six’ musicians (an anarchic, avant-garde group of composers that created music that counteracted the melodramatic, Romantic music on the 19th century), which both created and popularised a new, less oppressive culture – the culture of modernism.

It is only in recent times, however, that the fashion industry has begun to capitalise on musical movements. A fairly obvious and tired example of this is Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s SEX boutique – to avoid this becoming a badly-paraphrased Wikipedia article, let us assume we know all about the ‘punk’ connections this little Chelsea boutique garnered in the mid-70s. A recent Guardian article deemed 1977 the zenith of punk, declaring that at this time “punk's nihilistic swagger was the most thrilling thing in England”. Miss Westwood and her fetishist, sadomasochistic goods surely played a vital role in the rise of punk – the Sex Pistols famously auditioned in the boutique, the shop was frequented by, ahem, ‘musical greats’ like Adam Ant and, most importantly, the boutique popularised what we now know as ‘punk’ fashion – DIY t-shirts, allusions to bondage, tartan, drainpipes – ‘punk staples’ (possibly the most contradictory words ever written). The movement became accessible - you could dress like its perpetrators and frequent the scene’s most important hang-out spot.

Similarly, Don Letts’ punk/reggae boutique-slash-club ‘Acme Attractions’ sold “electric-blue zoot suits and jukeboxes, pumping dub reggae all day long” – it was the first to meld two cultural phenomenon, both in terms of fashion and music. The punk kids in ’75 were introduced to reggae (this influence is apparent in The Clash’s music with their thrilling sub-dub-meets-The Ramones sound) and the reggae crowd started to integrate punk rock aesthetics into their own ideals – Bob Marley’s song ‘Punky Reggae Party’ (inspired by the crowd at Acme Attractions) is concrete proof of the sheer power of Letts’ clothes shop in integrating two seemingly contradictory art forms, and proof of the power of music and fashion – both together and apart.
Since then, music and fashion have collided too many times to remember or mention – sometimes good (Bowie! Madonna! M.I.A.!), often abysmal (‘heroin chic’, Marc Jacobs grunge revivals, et cetera). The fashion industry seems to lose all dignity when a quirkily-dressed band/singer/zoothornist saunters by – designers use them as muses, dotcom fashion giants Asos.com produce identical copies of their outfits in days and before you know it, someone’s started a t-shirt company devoted to capitalising on the popularity of tired, old, stifling rock bands – Amplified, I’m looking at you.

Then there are the crossover artists – Agyness Deyn-alikes who dabble in singing and Lily Allen-alikes who are employed by high street brands to replicate their ‘image’. The annual charitable event, Fashion Rocks, is truly the epitome of the music-fashion liaison; designers designing, singers singing, it’s a dramatic sweep of glamour that leaves you feeling decidedly cold – the relationship between fashion and music started out as a counter-culture, a revolution, with design and music acting as one entity naturally, without being coerced into affiliation. If we remove the smiling, warm liberal ‘charity’ aspect, we are left with a mere showcase of mismatching music and fashion – when did Natasha Bedingfield become a muse? Or a person of with a notable fashion sense? Or, for that matter, a notable musician?

However, it would be inaccurate to say that Nowadays The Relationship Between Music And Fashion Is Strained, because it is precisely the opposite – the relationship is flourishing. Musicians now sell lifestyles – Pete Doherty, the ‘heroin chic’, ripped-everything, piss-stained kind, M.I.A, the kaleidoscopic, worldly, post-new-rave kind, with her fleeting clothing line ‘Okley Run’. There is a unity among the artistes of today – the luminous Jeremy Scott is both influenced by and an influence to many musicians. Similarly, Hedi Slimane was influenced by the gaunt, razor-cheeked indie-boys of yesteryear and continues to inspire future gaunt, razor-cheeked indie-boys. Just as punk as a ‘movement’ was both inspired and sustained by both music and fashion, there have been movements in recent times spurred by designers and musicians – the most obvious is ‘New Rave’, either coined by a drunk NME journalist after losing his thesaurus, or possibly started by a designer on a bad trip somewhere in a bar in Shoreditch. We just don’t know. It was sustained through a mix of music and fashion – Carrie Mundane AKA ‘Cassetteplaya’ provided the palette, ‘SuperSuper’ magazine the aesthetic and about twenty million bands with synthesisers and screamy vocals provided the soundtrack. Music and fashion were in perfect harmony again, if only for a passing moment.

There is another important aspect of the relationship between music and fashion – the media, the public and their demands. Let us ask: who holds cultural influence in the media? Magazines hail the ‘new generation’ of post-teens to be multi-talented, ambitious, diverse and pliable – they mean the models who DJ, designers who identify strongly with whatever ultra-modern music scene may be growing, bands whose music and style is fluid and near-synonymous. The idea of An Image is crucial to success – Madonna’s entire career is punctuated by revivals and reinventions, based on the belief that cultural chameleons will always succeed by staying one step ahead. ‘Image’ is all-encompassing – music, fashion, personality, politics; musicians are selling themselves to the media and the public unashamedly, hoping that their latest incarnation will appease the heaving masses. Sometimes it does, sometimes it does not. Pop musicians depend on popularity, therefore their image is integral to their appeal – so they bend to the demands of the public and the media, changing their musical direction while changing their outfits.

What is left of the anarchy of the early 1900s, when music and fashion were unified in their need for change? Now, indie pop stars stand uneasily alongside statuesque fashion models in Burberry ad campaigns and we, too, feel uneasy – maybe we pine for the days of ‘proper’ models and ‘proper’ singers (in reality, there was no such thing, just ask Francoise Hardy), or possibly we feel that the line separating music and fashion has disappeared, leaving us confused - the jumbled mass of ideas of music and fashion labelled ‘culture’ is surely too chaotic for us. In truth, it is far more personal than this – before, music and fashion joined forces to ‘do good’ – open our eyes to new forms of artistic expression – now, it merely comes together under the wide, merciless, corporate umbrella of ‘entertainment’. As long as the fashion industry remains aggressively capitalising on music, the relationship will be one of suspicion – only when music and fashion are once again on a par can we say that music and fashion are linked. Until then, I warn you of more ‘crossover’ models, more rubbish songs and a distinct lack of inspiration on the runways. Sigh.

AJ For 3E News

To Swish OR Not To Swish

2008-11-08T02:54:00.001Z

If you don’t know what Swishing is yet, where have you been? You could have been saving pennies in this time of financial woe!

Swishing is the brain child of Futerra Sustainability, the idea is that you throw a party with all the usual ingredients: - wine, nibbles, music, friends, strangers etc, however each attendee must bring at least one unloved, high quality item of clothing. This must be an item of clothing you used to adore, but doesn’t fit you anymore or maybe something you “invested” in but never actually got around to wearing. Everybody places their garments (or accessories) on the rails, then over the next hour you can try on other peoples cast offs and decide on what you like, when the hour is up, you place everything back onto the rails and a mad free for all begins, where anything you grab is yours to keep forever and ever (or until you re-swish it).

Sounds good? It should do! It’s like second hand (or “vintage”) chic, without having to pay a penny and when you consider that we throw away 900, 000 tons of clothes and shoes in Britain every year, not only does it prevent your bank balance from declining but it’s not too shabby for the environment either!

You might even strike gold and pick up fantastic designer pieces. On “Twiggys frock exchange” a BBC2 programme about swishing, party goers brought a range of fabulous pieces to swish including pairs of Jimmy Choos and Jean Paul Gaultier suits. As a general rule of thumb, the more affluent the area of the swish, the better the goodies, just don’t think you can show up with a £3 Primark t-shirt and expect to waltz out of the swish in the latest Alexander McQueen number, it works both ways.

If you’re thinking about throwing your own swishing party, consider a few things when conjuring up a guest list; the quirkier the people you invite, the quirkier the garments they will bring with them, nobody wants a room full of several shades of beige. And don’t be age conscious, your grandmas friends might have some amazing dresses from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s hidden in the back of their wardrobes that are in desperate need of a new lease of life!

Why stop at fashion? Why not organise a record swish where you can swap each other’s un-listened vinyls or cds? Or video games swish? We could even go right back to the middle ages and organise skills swishing e.g. I’ll take the hem up on your trousers for you if you dye my hair, the possibilities are endless.

So check out your nearest swishing party on http://www.swishing.org/events/upcoming or even better, throw your own, just remember to drop us an invite.
(All Photos © Swishing.org)
LA For 3E News and research by AV

VIRGIN EMI RECORDS PROFILE

2008-11-08T02:43:00.001Z

In 1972, a little shop in Notting Hill was about to change music. Virgin Records and Tapes, a hippy record store that dished out free vegetarian food to customers (if you believe the tales) was about to branch out into releasing records itself. With a student Richard Branson at the helm Virgin Records was born. Initially a prog-rock label, their debut release was a gamble; Mike Oldfield, after being turned down by virtually very other label, was signed up and together they released Tubular Bells, an album that would stay in the UK album charts for the next five years, and win Mike Oldfield a Grammy.

In the late 70s and 80s Virgin turned its attention to punk and new wave. Happy to court controversy, Virgin signed the Sex Pistols in 1977 and subsequently enjoyed a police raid on their shop in response to their infamous Nevermind the Bollocks window display. Where the big movements in music were, Virgin was never far behind (they even invented the modern Compilation album when they released Now That’s What I call Music in 1983, fact fans.) Their artists included The Human League, The Smashing Pumpkins and Blur.

The 90s was the last time the record industry really felt secure and Virgin was one of the biggest labels around. Branson sold Virgin to EMI in 1992 with the condition that he would not set up another label for at least five years, leaving Virgin, under EMI’s global supervision, to scout for exciting new acts without fear of losing any existing artists to a new Virgin label. For a large label they were still innovative, feeding into popular culture and picking out interesting acts that would define the era. The success of the Spice Girls left money to help break bands like the Chemical Brothers and Massive Attack into the mainstream.

In the late 90s, post Britpop, things took a downturn, for years we’ve been hearing about the demise of the record industry; the arrival of auction sites like Amazon and Ebay eliminated the middleman from second hand record sales, which has resulted in the gradual closure of independent record stores. Next came digital downloads, signalling the final call for music retail; albums covers, editions and weirdly bearded sales assistants are no longer a part of our music buying horizon. So where did this leave Virgin?

Adrift, it would seem. New bands Bloc Party, The Cribs and At the Drive-In were getting people interested in music again; the common thing between them was that they were signed to V2, Branson’s new label. They recruited the type of bands that Virgin before them had prided themselves on. Around the same time EMI had downsized Virgin and moved their premises to a building next to EMI’s offices, effectively leaving them identity-less.

Over the past few years things started to look up again, EMI might not be making much profit, but Virgin was finding itself back where it was comfortable, promoting radio friendly guitar acts. Recent successes like the Kooks and The Good The Bad and The Queen were both slow builders that spent a lot of time in the charts.
Following on from there seems to be the problem. Limited edition albums, dvds and free link to downloads and interviews are being used as purchasing incentives. They have the right idea, scouting artists such as Laura Marling and Unklejam, but then they squander them. After Amy Winehouse everyone is jumping to get hold of a staple female singer; Universal’s Duffy seems to soundtrack everything available, Sony BMG’s Lily Allen is spread all over blogland and Laura Marling? As unsuited as she is the faux female jazz genre the others find themselves in, she could have done a lot better than the niche indie market she was presumably aimed at. The effort was there, Virgin added a unique touch to sell hardcopies of the album – a free intimate gig ticket with every purchase of the special ‘Song Box’ edition of the album. The problem was that it was too intimate and too expensive at £20.

Unklejam too, were an exciting new band, money was spent on them but the records didn’t sell. Everyone heard and remembered ‘Love Ya’ but nobody bought it and it peaked at number fifty five in the charts. Once a band with personalities as loud as Unklejam would merely have to smile from the cover of Smash Hits to guarantee a number one single. Things are different now, people don’t want a personality, they want that song they just heard a moment ago, a couple of clicks and a few seconds later the song’s theirs without them having to leave their seats. Unklejam so far haven’t released an album, although promos were sent out, and the band have subsequently found themselves dropped.

So what happens now for Virgin? Since EMI created the Capitol Music Group in 2007, a merger between Virgin and Capitol records, there ceased to be a Virgin records in all things but name. The label has been merged and streamlined to within an inch of its life and no longer has the creative edge that it once commanded.

Perhaps the problem is that these days they can’t afford to fail on the bigger artists so they dedicate their time and resources there and consequently neglect the smaller artists. There have been some great success stories this year, Late of the Pier and Black Kids are just a couple, but in major label terms just how successful are they? Of course there will always be big label casualties that sink in the competition; Vincent Vincent and the Villains spring to mind, but likewise there will still always be the unlikely success stories, who would have thought Jamie T would have broken down the barriers into the mainstream when he signed to Virgin? It just shows that all the gimmicks in the world can’t substitute a really great record and a little bit of luck.

CE For 3E News and research by LW

Company Profile – Indigenous People

2008-11-08T02:40:00.002Z

With several music labels, pr and marketing companies seeking ways of discovering new talent, nurturing them and offering them to audiences all over, this company, Indigenous People seems to have nailed this perfectly and the following piece shall explain why.

Indigenous People is an agency promoting the music, dance, visual art and the welfare of indigenous communities throughout the world.

Harnessing the appeal of creative media as a means of raising awareness of social and cultural issues, Indigenous People seeks to empower musicians, dancers, story-tellers and artists from indigenous communities to travel to the UK to perform and teach – enabling them to represent themselves and further the economic and social development of their communities by harnessing the economic potential of their own traditional culture. At a time when the interest in all things ‘tribal’ and indigenous is steadily increasing, the importance of indigenous communities having as much control as possible over the commercial exploitation of their art and culture has never been greater.

The agency will build on the track record of Indigenous People, which has 10 years experience in marketing and managing tours by traditional world music and dance groups to the UK market. Specialising in participatory educational and performance projects, the charity has worked with a wide variety of partners – local authorities, festivals, universities, schools, youth and community centres – arranging a series of workshops prior to a performance to enable people to learn a few rhythms, chants and dances which they can use to join with the traditional group for a communal finale at the end of the performance. This not only acts as a valuable audience development and marketing tool for the host venue, it also serves to break down the barriers between the ‘audience’ and ‘performers’ to generate a sense of inclusion and belonging that is the inherent function of music and dance in traditional societies.

In 2008, Indigenous People developed partnerships with a number of traditional world music and dance groups and festivals, theatres / arts centres, educational institutions and other agencies interested in raising awareness of indigenous culture to the wider public with a view to organising performances, workshops, exhibitions and seminars led by the indigenous musicians, dancers and speakers they represent.

Website http://www.indigenouspeople.org.uk/

3E For 3E News