As the fash-pack descends on Paris, the British Fashion Council Show Space is dismantled, photographer’s retreat to spend a week on their Mac books and editors hang up their heels, it is time to reflect on the British talent showcased at London Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2010.
Hakaan was indisputably the highlight of the week – the Turkish designer drew the most exclusive of crowds who left enamoured by his strong silhouettes and muted palette of bandage dresses. Enthralled journalists scribbled furiously as Natalia Vodianova and Abbey Lee walked some of his more austere designs and the camel-coloured ostrich thigh-high dress even drew a demure smile from Kate Moss, perhaps the most unlikely event at LFW this season. Todd Lynn was also a firm favourite, with some unlikely stars littering his front row (Janet Jackson? Can someone explain please?). His nature versus man inspired collection featured hooded tan outer garments and elevated shoulders, of which shameless copies are sure to be flooding high-streets by September (thank goodness). Not much was to be said of his after-party however, which, despite being invited to in hushed tones by a PR exec, we left after half an hour following the shameless consumption of three free cocktails. Continue reading “London Fashion Week”
With just weeks to go before elections take place across London’s universities, you would hope that thousands of students were scrambling to find out as much as they could about the candidates and decide who would best vocalise student opinion. Unfortunately, as with every other university election in recent years, this is unlikely to be the case.
In 2008 London was politically hyped up like never before, students talked openly about politics and seemed genuinely excited by it all. But it was not the May London Mayoral Elections they were talking about, but the November US Presidential Election. Whilst it was a truly inspiring event that saw the first Black American elected Commander-in-Chief, it was sad to think that it took an election in a country most Londoners could never vote in to get us enthralled with politics again. Turnout in the US presidential election was some 63-percent, far higher than the 45-percent seen in the London Mayoral elections of May. Had the option to vote in the US election been extended to Londoners, there is little doubt that turnout would have been higher than in any UK election of modern times. Continue reading “Take note: Go vote”
Recent polling data has been released this week which points to a hung Parliament if an election was held immediately.
The latest MORI polling, when averaged with all the other recent major pollsters’ data, predicts a Conservative minority government. This would leave David Cameron some 12 seats short of a working majority in the House, and greatly increase Gordon Brown’s chances of remaining in Number 10 for a little while longer. Continue reading “How’s it Hanging? Hung Parliaments and how to deal with them”
We may not be prepared to admit it, we sure as hell would never want to be accused of it, but I think it is safe to say that everyone likes to be smug sometimes. Not all the time mind you, just sometimes. I find there is a particularly heightened smugness when one – stuck for hours in a dead end Saturday job – manages to get one over on a horrible customer. Petty it may be, but it is these small touches that make life all that more interesting. Continue reading “Saturday Job Smugness”
The BA application for interim injunction against strike action was heard before Mrs Justice Cox in the High Court – Queen’s Bench Division on 17th December 2009. John Hendy QC was acting for Unite and Bruce Carr QC acting for BA (accompanied by a bank of 7-8 Baker & McKenzie solicitors).
In short, BA proposed to cut the number of cabin crew on long haul flights out of Heathrow from 15 to 14, and freeze pay in 2010, amongst other changes. Unite allege that this a breach of contract of employment. BA are apparently increasing the workload of their staff and therefore increasing risk and jeopardising the safety of the aircraft passengers and employees on board. Continue reading “A Merry Christmas To All And To All A Good Flight?”
It saddens me that, in the space of just two days, I find myself writing how a single event has led to shelving of previous bias, stereotype and opinion. On Tuesday, it was Jade Goody’s efforts to raise awareness of her illness; the article being a direct response to a piece published in The Times newspaper. Today however, my attention turns to David Cameron, the conservative leader, who sadly lost his six-year old son in the early hours of this morning.
Ivan Cameron, a “brave child” who faced the tragedy of severe epilepsy, passed this morning after battling with the illness since his birth. As a life-long anti-Conservative, I was deeply moved by this, both on a personal and political level. No parent should ever have to deal with losing a child, and I can’t imagine how Mr. and Mrs. Cameron are feeling at the moment. Rightly so, they have been granted their privacy and today’s PMQs has been cancelled.
As a parent dealing with a terminally ill child, Mr. Cameron daily life was dictated by hospital appointments, home treatment and working with his son’s carers; his politics was no different. Constant dealings with the NHS led to the Conservative’s adaptation of ‘compassionate conservatism’, a move away from the ‘nasty party’ image advocated by Theresa May, the one-time party secretary. Mr. Cameron recognised the value of the NHS and the important role it plays in people lives on a daily basis.
When Mr. Cameron does come back to work, I’m sure that the memory of his beloved son will be a driving force behind his campaign; an angelic inspiration of the highest value.
Rest in Peace Ivan.
When Jade Goody emerged from her embrace with her then-fiancee Jack following his release from prison, the reality television cynic in me awoke. Over the last few years, my transition from avid big-brother viewer to hater of anything involving a sub c-list celebrity has been completed. I dislike celebrity and everything that comes with it.
That was, until last week. On a mundane motorway trip, the middle aged man in me decided to tune into Five Live’s phone-in, where it became apparent from a barrage of callers that Jade Goody had done something amazing – she had single handedly increased awareness of cervical cancer. Women of all ages were calling the show, telling the world that, thanks to the potent images of Jade in recent weeks, they had booked smear tests with their GPs. This is absolutely extraordinary. I am an avid believer that there is no greater feat than saving a life, and Mrs. Goody may have just done that a hundred times over.
The footage of Jade reacting to her chemotherapy is brutal, but necessary, as it shows the reality of the situation: hair loss, weakness and nausea. However, it’s when the camera focuses on Mrs. Goody in a tight embrace with her husband and children that we see where the real sadness of the situation lies.
Her children will lose a mother and her husband will lose a wife.
If Jade’s programs and the increasing news footage teach us anything, its that life is far too short. We’ve got to do the utmost to keep our health, and, just as importantly, our family.
I wish Jade eternal peace.
For information on smear tests please visit: http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/
Arriving at Soho gyms to begin my induction was a humbling experience. Housed in a new development within the Borough area, and only a stone’s throw away from the Great Dover Street apartments, the complex itself had a smart, almost sexy exterior; its walls a multitude of blue and white, making up the gym’s trademark logo. Continue reading “Soho Gyms Blog – Part Two”
To date, when asked about my appeal to the opposite sex and what belief I have in myself, my response has always articulated the importance of personality. This, however, is to be anticipated from a man of average proportions (admittedly, where height is concerned I fall into the upper echelons of averageness); my mother always told me that appearance didn’t matter, and, up until the age of thirteen, I believed her. Conversations with my female peers also drew the same conclusions. Then came Peter Andre’s chest, swiftly followed by David Beckham’s abs before my recent female compatriots fell for the charm of Daniel Craig – especially in that swimwear scene. A clear trend was developing in my adolescent mind. Accordingly, when Soho gyms laid down the challenge of a three-month stint in their Borough gym, I accepted. Continue reading “Soho Gyms Blog – Part One”
