Skip to main content

Year: 2012

The Business of Beauty

You might be mistaken for overlooking the beauty industry in favour of the fashion industry. Indeed, the beauty pages of a publication are far more likely to be fewer in number and are often relegated to the latter section of the magazine or newspaper, unless it’s a publication which deals with beauty specifically. But the cold hard facts tell a different story. In the wake of the financial crisis, consumers may not always buy new clothes but fresh shampoo/conditioner/moisturiser are staples which are unquestionably chucked into the shopping trolley. Not to mention the fact that the estimated life-time spend on beauty products is over £40,000 for the average woman in the UK: buying things like a new mascara, hair serum or lipstick requires very little thought as you chuck them into your basket at Sainsbury’s, unlike clothes which usually take more careful consideration.

Unless, of course, you’re dealing with the big dogs. We’re talking designer stuff – because, of course, every major fashion brand in the world now has an accompanying beauty and/or fragrance line, so you can not only wear the underwear, shoes, accessories, outfit – and one for your pet Chihuahua of course – but you can also smell like the brand, and yes, your lips are wearing the brand’s autumn/winter colour. This, dear readers, is extreme consumerism – not even Marx himself could have predicted humankind’s desire not only to own mass-produced, heavily-advertised branded products but to be the brand itself. To put it in more localised student terms, for those of you who are not of the Chanel Rouge disposition: how many of you have iPhones, iPods and Mac Books? Repeat after me: ‘Be the Apple, you are the Apple…’

Yes, the beauty industry is the cherry atop a very profitable cake for most brands these days, but it’s currently L’Oréal who is the main player in the beauty industry. From New York yummy-mummy favourites Kiehl’s to a perhaps more accessible (ie. stocked in Boots) Garnier, L’Oréal owns, either entirely or a portion of, a staggering number of international beauty brands. Of course, like any multi-billion dollar industry it’s had its fair share of scandal: animal testing continues to haunt the company, and its founder, Eugène Schueller, was said to be a Nazi-sympathizer, but like other multi-billion dollar industries these facts do not seem to massively damage its reputation or its stake in what we put on our faces.

With the staggering popularity of beauty blogs and videoed beauty tutorials, beauty writers are becoming as eminent as their fashion counterparts, and as they are, in my opinion, dealing with an altogether more forgiving industry it’s not difficult to see why: you don’t have to be 5’10” with measurements of 32-24-34 to feel truly involved in the beauty world. While we should definitely be cynical of companies such as L’Oréal, especially as beauty products are becoming increasingly scientific, it’s good to be aware of who is in control of the products which adorn our dressing table, and to understand that, like everything, beauty has a serious business side.

Avant-Garde style profile: Pam Hogg

I’m not sure that many of you will have heard of Pam Hogg, but it is safe to say that her work is not for the faint-hearted. Readers of a nervous disposition, look away now…

With a celebrity following including the likes of  Rihanna, Kylie, Alison Mosshart, and Siouxsie Sioux sampling a burst of colourful Hogg lycra on stage and having once been the musical support act for the likes of The Pogues and Debbie Harry, Hogg has fronted bands performing a wide range of music from rockabilly to punk. No wonder then that the 46 year-old has successfully created a totally unique brand characterised by strong elements from her punk-rock youth.

Photo: BP Blogspot

Hogg was even recently requested by Lady Mary Chateris to design her wedding dress when she married Robbie Furze earlier this year, with the end product showcasing a look like no other. That’s what you get when you use the same designer as Lady Gaga.

To say that her designs are edgy would be THE understatement of the year! I don’t think you would be able to walk out normally in a  signature Pam Hogg piece unless you have an equally as bold personality to carry off the look (so that’s Lady Gaga or a serious punk rocker) or you are attending a crazy event which calls for such attire.

The beauty of her creations however, is that they can be easily adapted to suit the individual, for those of us who do like to incorporate some elements into your outfits that add a bit of…flare, let’s say, without getting too much of the wrong attention! Needless to say, her Autumn/Winter 2012 collection is simply remarkable. Although the mono-brows are still, well, we will give it to you, scary.

Photo: BP Blogspot

Live: Band of Skulls

The Ritz

5th December 2012

8/10

Folks begin the night with material from their hot-off-the-press debut album, and what they lack in physical movement, they almost make up for in dynamism, with a diverse performance full of organs, pop vocals and gritty britpop bounce. The band’s set mixes the odd track that punches like the Arctic Monkeys, flutters like The Feeling and sings like Josh Homme all at the same time with slower, more turgid efforts that just seem to drain the band’s momentum. Despite this, however, they pull off a cracker of a Christmas song, replete with great melodic guitar work. They finish, appropriately, with ‘Skull and Bones’ and prove a fine warm-up for the main act.

Band of Skulls, since their inception, have boasted a huge sound that belies the fact that they are only three in number, but tonight show exactly how diverse they can be when they want to. They open with ‘Sweet Sour’, a bluesy, in-your-face stomper with a war chant of a chorus. Lead vocalist/guitarist Matt Hayward is coolness personified as he struts about the Ritz stage, scraping the guitar over tracks from across the band’s back catalogue. On the other hand, the gentle harmonies of ‘Cold Fame’ are teased as much as possible before providing the scream-your-heart-out qualities of a main stage festival act.

They strike an amazingly delicate balance that flicks between outright epic and intimacy, but the most impressive thing about this performance is that you just never feel disconnected from the band. Band of Skulls are designed for the stage – see them live to experience them properly.

Live: The Black Keys

11th December 2012

6/10

From a purely selfish point of view, it’s a little disappointing to see The Black Keys playing arenas; as happy as you might be for a band finally making it big – and after years of plugging away in basement venues, there’s no question the duo deserve it – there’s always a part of you that wishes they could stay your little secret forever. Capacity-wise, tonight marks an enormous step up from their last Manchester appearance, as recently as February, and whilst some of the cheapest seats up in the gods are closed off, it’s an otherwise packed room that greets the band tonight.

There’s fairly heavyweight support tonight from The Maccabees, who are closing out a year spent almost entirely on the road behind third LP Given to the Wild; it’s that record that dominates their short set, with no room for the likes of ‘First Love’ and ‘Toothpaste Kisses’ from their altogether more twee debut; instead, the soaring guitars of ‘Feel to Follow’ and epic ‘Forever I’ve Known’ stand out amongst an impressive half-hour that hammers home just how much they’ve matured; if you’d told me six years ago that The Maccabees would one day sound totally at home in an arena, I’d have assumed you’d recently sustained a severe head injury.

Given that both of the last two Black Keys records, Brothers and El Camino, were effectively written for big rooms and huge crowds, it probably shouldn’t be too surprising to see them make this move up; the set is packed with singalong choruses, from opener ‘Howlin’ for You’ through to ‘Gold on the Ceiling’, but it’s not just in terms of crowd participation that these newer songs suit the new surroundings; probably the evening’s most impressive feature is the sheer volume of different guitar sounds that Dan Auerbach is able to coax from his instrument, and ‘Next Girl’, in particular, sounds absolutely enormous – the variety in his playing is the most potent weapon in the Black Keys arsenal.

Unfortunately, the older songs just don’t translate quite as well to this environment; ‘Thickfreakness’ is one of the best songs the band have ever written, but its rawer, bluesier sound sounds too turgid, too slow, for an arena crowd; the same can be said of ‘Strange Times’. Perhaps the main problem, though, is that the thrill of seeing a rock and roll band play is lost in rooms of this size; Patrick Carney’s never been the world’s tightest drummer, but at club-sized shows, his sloppiness was usually endearing, even exciting, but tonight it often sticks out like a sore thumb from an otherwise polished production. I don’t think it’s necessarily The Black Keys’ own fault that they aren’t suited to arenas; that type of crowd comes looking for a certain type of show – they want to hear all the hits, they want an impressive live show, and they usually want everything to sound like it does on record. There’s no crime in the band trying to fit that mould, but it’s just a tragedy that any kind of rock n’ roll spontaneity doesn’t fit into that world. The band encore with ‘I Got Mine’ and the riotous response from the crowd on the floor serves as a reminder of what once was as the mosh pits open up, and it’ll be interesting to see where The Black Keys head on their next record; they could potentially be a great arena band once they can fill the whole set with songs as catchy and commercially viable as ‘Lonely Boy’ and ‘Tighten Up’, but for now they’re stuck in a kind of purgatory, and it’d be an enormous shame if the thrills and spills of the band’s good old days was to be lost forever.

5 songs in the field of: Christmas

 

2000 Miles – The Pretenders

A yuletide number that really warms the cockles of your heart, while at the same time making The Proclaimers’ ‘500 miles’ look less of a trek and more of a brief walk to the shops. I wouldn’t recommend walking 2000 miles for your loved ones though, Christmas or not, unless you want heavily-blistered feet.

 

Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) – The Darkness 

Truly a modern-day holiday classic. It’s got everything: joyous lyrics, a catchy chorus, a children’s choir, and a bona fide, kick-ass… err, guitar solo. Now that’s how you write a christmas song. Justin Hawkins’ falsetto is so damn good you could listen to this tongue-in-cheek tune all year round.

 

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy – David Bowie & Bing Crosby

A wonderful song by the great Bing Crosby and post-Ziggy Bowie. Listen to it once and you’ll be “pa-rum-pum-pum-pum”-ing all the way to Christmas day. Just spare yourself the horror and avoid the cringe-worthy video, where Bowie asks Bing if he’s “the new butler”. Talk about respecting your elders.

 

Fairytale of New York – The Pogues

I don’t care how obvious a choice it is, it just isn’t Christmas without hearing Shane MacGowan’s Irish slur about alcoholism and drugs. Any festive song with the words “slut”, “scumbag”, “maggot” and “happy christmas your arse” is a good one in my book. T’is indeed the season to be jolly.

 

Wonderful Dream (Holidays are Coming) – Melanie Thornton

Better known as “that song from the Coke advert”, it’s as big a part of christmas as watching Home Alone or unwrapping a hideous jumper from your aunt. The track itself isn’t anything spectacular, but if you can think of a song that better conjures up the giddy christmas excitement, well, I’ll buy you a coke.

Live: Martha Wainwright

4th December 2012

7/10

You’ve probably heard of Rufus Wainwright; he’s one of his generations most fascinating artists, having perfected his dramatic, often operatic brand of pop music across an eclectic, seven-record oeuvre that spans the past decade; he’s also appeared on countless film and television soundtracks, often with original work, and has even written and staged his own opera, Prima Donna, which opened here in Manchester back in 2009. His sister isn’t quite as well-known, a fact neatly underlined by her performing at a sparsely-populated Ritz just a week before Rufus plays a sold-out Apollo, but her own repertoire is every bit as interesting, and eccentric, as her brother’s.

Martha Wainwright’s only real mainstream exposure to date came in 2006, when she managed something most of us thought impossible by injecting some genuine feeling into a Snow Patrol record, with a stirring turn on ‘Set the Fire to the Third Bar’. In the year’s since she’s built a modest,  but diverse, back catalogue, segueing between indie rock, folk and pop on her records and even releasing an album of Edith Piaf covers. It’s a variety that spills over into the live show, with Wainwright opening the show with an acoustic number from her self-titled debut before moving onto the guitar-driven ‘I Am Sorry’ and electro-tinged ‘Four Black Sheep’, both from her latest record, with the full band, which tonight includes Andrew Whiteman of Broken Social Scene and Mr. Martha Wainwright, Brad Alberta, on bass; for reasons undisclosed, he’s dressed up as a monk for tonight’s performance.

The new record, Come Home to Mama, delves lyrically into the changes in Wainwright’s personal life since her last full-length album; her marriage to Alberta and the birth of her first child are covered, as well as the passing of her mother, Kate McGarrigle, whose presence is felt throughout tonight. Wainwright covers a number of McGarrigle tracks – referred to between songs as ‘Kate’, not mum – with ‘Proserpina’, the last song written by McGarrigle back in 2009, proving both an album and set highlight. It’s when Wainwright draws upon emotional content as heavy as this that she’s at her most impressive live; the raw passion in her vocals is intoxicating – she howls rather than sings, turning in a stunning rendition of ‘Stormy Weather’ and more than doing justice to the couple of Piaf numbers that sneak onto the setlist.

The constant back and forth between acoustic and full band performance, and indeed between tracks that make full use of Wainwright’s intense vocal delivery and those that use it as just another instrument, lends the set an disparate feel by no means  atypical of her recorded output, but still frustrating. In terms of sheer talent, there’s little in the way of a gulf between the Wainwright siblings; she’s got a better voice than her brother and is almost as good a songwriter, when she wants to be, but tonight the solo tracks are unequivocally brilliant while the more experimental numbers with the band are decidedly hit-and-miss – perhaps figuring out how to play to her strengths will be key in bridging the popularity gap between herself and Rufus.

 

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two

Epic Mickey 2 comes as a multi-platform sequel to the Nintendo Wii original Epic Mickey, released in 2010. The game centres on co-operative play between returning hero Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Using the magic paintbrush and a remote control, this unlikely duo is reunited to help rebuild and defend Wasteland from a mysterious evil.

The story moves forward with enjoyable cut scenes and cheery musical numbers in case you ever forgot this was a Disney production. Friends and foes from the original game appear, with the main antagonist, the Mad Doctor, persuading Oswald that he’s seen the error of his ways and wants to help restore the cartoon world which has been wracked by earthquakes and Blotlings. Oswald’s girlfriend, Ortensia, is not so convinced, working together with the Gremlin game guide Gus to bring back Mickey Mouse.

The main story has both single and co-op modes, though the game is clearly intended to be played co-operatively. The in game instructions for Oswald caused some confusion to start, with no explicit reference to the fact that AI will pick up these controls rather than being able to swap between the two, I was often left wondering whether all aspects of the game could be completed as a solo act. Co-operative play has been well received, and is certainly the ideal way to play it though.

There are collectables and side quests to entertain while you work your way through a simple storyline, including options for design customisation, as well as the idea of being able to choose a path of destruction, or a path of resurrection through the dual powers of the magic paintbrush and its thinner or paint modes.

The camera angles leave a lot to be desired, making game play a little frustrating at times with a limited field of vision in third person and a fixed camera angle for first person (used as part of a quest to take photos throughout the game). With such a vivid game design, the natural instinct is to look around and explore every little nook and crannies, which makes the camera particularly annoying.

Overall, it’s a fun platform adventure with the quirk of an enjoyable story told through music that’s sadly hampered by frustrating camera angles.

Review: ‘I, Anna’

Set in present day London, I, Anna is non-action film noir that draws on drab cityscape to evoke the dark internal world of Anna Welles, a lonely middle-aged divorcee played by Charlotte Rampling. By reinventing the role of femme fatale in the image of an older woman, the film has potential to disrupt the young and darkly alluring archetype, but by following the predictable formula of male saviour and female victim, it offers a reactionary exploration of gender dynamics and female sexuality.

Through jagged camerawork and music that powerfully evokes isolation and mental instability, viewers are interpolated into Anna’s fragmented mindset. The psychological thriller takes a non-linear structure, syncing our perspective with that of the disturbed protagonist by jumping from past to present, mimicking Anna’s agitated mental state.

Aside from her age, Anna exhibits the hallmark qualities of a femme fatale, namely: dark mystery and elusiveness coupled with a deep vulnerability. She has a secret born out of a shameful personal tragedy, crippling Anna emotionally and causing her to suffer from amnesia – a mechanism with which to evade the pain.

In an attempt to get on with daily life as if nothing has changed, Anna seeks human contact by attending dating evenings for middle-aged singletons. Director Barnaby Southcombe describes the story as ‘a moving account of the complications involved in a spurned, older woman’s right to find love again in today’s world.’ In an exploration of ‘the older woman’s right for love’, the film throws out some pretty shocking suggestions about the state of female sexuality in the twenty-first century. At the dating events, Anna switches identity, calling herself Allegra and performing for the male gaze in figure-hugging dresses, high-heels, a lick of lipstick and never making the first move. This self-objectification distances Anna from a true sense of self – a fragmentation subtly indicated in the title by the comma that separates ‘I’ and ‘Anna’. In a pivotal moment in the film that takes place between Anna and a forceful male who has responded to her alluring persona, we witness a tragic fragility in Anna as she turns to her set of ‘woman’s weapons’ – reapplying her lipstick and removing her high-heels – momentarily succumbing to entrapment through a deluded sense of empowerment.

By constructing Anna in the pre-defined role of femme fatale, her character is given little room for new moves. The film tries to assert its contemporary relevance through an urban London setting, but shoots itself in the foot by painting female sexuality in a problematic light. It’s unsavory combination of a ‘1950s-type’ woman with an independent twenty-first woman is encapsulated in a scene in which Anna is pictured ‘fixing her face’ in the bathroom of a dating event when a mysterious old woman approaches her with some apparent wisdom: ‘Things ain’t what they used to be. We can meet the men we want now, we can choose. So get your skinny legs back out there and flaunt them!’

Amen sister! .. I think not.

Review: ‘Decay’

Proving you don’t need a big budget to make your movie, Decay –  created University of Manchester PhD Physics students – is a gore filled zombie flick, is a movie with more blood than Dracula would wish to sink his teeth into.

After two years in production, the self-funded film roped in a huge turnout, proving this labour of love had certainly paid off as the queue meandered endlessly. The atmosphere was greeted in style as the cast and crew brought a touch of theatrical bliss, sporting lab coats and welcoming the crowd with jelly zombie sweets.  After such a reception I knew that I was in for a treat.

On the surface, Decay is a conventional zombie film. It follows a group of students trying to survive a zombie apocalypse in a science lab.

We know the formula and understand how this zombie scientific hybrid works out. A popular choice and yes although predictable, its tongue in cheek approach allows Decay to hold its charm.

Set on location at CERN, the film was made for physics-lovers. With its deliberate overt scientific tone and consistent references and physics in-jokes – could this be a mini cult film in the making?

As I myself have no scientific knowledge I can safely say that I wouldn’t let that put you off. If you’re a horror nerd and can’t get enough of the zombie formulae then you’re in for a treat with a frenzy of bucket loads of blood, gore and some pretty gruesome scenes packing plenty of punch. It is often so easy for a student made film to look homemade. But the golden syrup and red food colouring combination definitely comes across as convincing.

For a group of students who have no previous background in film, Decay is a fresh and local approach to filmmaking, proving that with a lot of time and dedication it is possible. It may not win an Oscar but it is refreshing to see something made so close to home. If there was anything to take from Decay it is that we should and can make a film on a low budget. So no excuses, grab those cameras and get filming!

Baby It’s Cold Outside…

It’s that time of year again when we must pause at our wardrobes and revisit the age-old debate on whether to brave the cold for beauty on a night out on the tiles. As the weather gets colder and our options more limited, we begin to wonder, is there a loophole in this dilemma?

Dilemma 1: The Coat

The coat is a staple winter piece we return to when the winds begin to change, but when we exchange our lip balm for lipstick the coat no longer becomes a feasible option (unless you want the burden of the dreaded cloak room). A trend hard to pull off on a night out, the coat tends to ruin our outfits by detracting from our carefully put together ensemble and inconveniently weighing down our arms. Equally as detrimental to our entrance, goose bumps and a chattering jaw. These are simply not an option. So what is the answer?

We recommend investing in a staple leather jacket. Not only able to keep you warm, the leather jacket is versatile and can be used to put an edge on any outfit throughout the Christmas season. It can be worn with your favourite jeans, boots and purple lipstick to create a classic tough chic look, or it can be thrown over your sparkly LBD and teamed with a clutch for the perfect Christmas drinks attire.

N.B. When it comes to faux or real leather we suggest you splurge rather than save. Not only will it keep you that little bit warmer in the winter winds, it will last you plenty of seasons to come. Although pricey, you can’t beat this All Saints Walker Leather Biker Jacket for £350.

 

Photo: All Saints.com

Dilemma 2: The Bottom Half

With cupboards brimming with crop tops we need something warm yet stylish to pair with them for these winter months. Unfortunately, our standard high waisted denim shorts from summer’s festival season no longer have the same effect when paired with tights and project the image that we are too lazy to rethink our wardrobes for the coldest season of they year.

Luckily for us, this year is all about the bottom half alternatives, which means our outfits no longer depend on finding the perfect top. Instead opt for a plain tee and make your statement by sporting some of the unique styled leggings on offer this winter, which can be seen in most high street chains such as Topshop.

Photo: Photobucket

Another option is to go with classic denim jeans; light, dark, grey or black, jeans have always been simple yet flattering for all body types. At the moment we love “boyfriend jeans”, especially the vintage renewal Levi 501s, which not only look great, but also hide our bellies bloated by mulled wine and mince pies. Purchased at most vintage outlets, these Levis pay tribute to the ever-growing androgynous trend and if you are really strapped for cash in the Christmas season you can always raid your boyfriend’s wardrobe.

Photo: Urban Outfitters.com

So this winter season don’t be discouraged by frost and snow, see the ever-dropping temperature as an opportunity to explore different avenues of fashion rather than sticking to what you know!

 

We wish you a trendy Christmas, and a stylish new year

Layers, layers, layers. Probably the most sensible way to dress, but lets face it, how many of us ever go out dressed sensibly? In case you’re lost for inspiration or stuck in a wardrobe rut, here’s my rundown of holiday fashion.

Christmas Day anything goes, (except Crocs, but that’s more of a life choice). Different families have different traditions; in my household we all get a little dressed up but I know others who stay in their pyjamas all day too. Either way you’re unlikely to leave the house bar the post lunch walk.

Though this is the ‘comfy’ holiday there are plenty of spots for you to spruce up and deck the halls, whether it’s the staff party or you’re out on Christmas Eve. My key item for these events is a nice blazer. My most festive is a red velvet piece. A lot of shops now have blazers to suit very individual styles. They are perfect to pair with T-shirts, jeans or even for a smarter situation. If you’re going for a shirt as well try an open collar or a loose tie. I love bow-ties but they don’t need to be seen on every occasion.

Finally we get to New Year’s, one of the biggest nights of the party year for some. What will you be wearing to bring on 2013? Generally I spend this time with friends at some type of house party, allowing a smart casual look, but with some welcome ‘snazz’ whether it’s a studded tie, or printed trousers it’s a perfect time of the year to stand out. Last year was a tad more hectic for me though after working an 8 hour shift, getting 4 hours of trains and making it to the party just in time for the countdown, I seemed more ‘scruffy snazz’ but fortunately it was still a great night.

So when the countdown begins, make sure you’re ready to greet 2013 with style.

Christmas Beauty Wish List

As the song goes, “Tis the season to be jolly”, but it’s also the season to spend hours traipsing around shops, looking for those all important festive gifts. Here are a few Christmas present ideas from the extensive range of beauty goodies on offer.

For Her…

Vita Liberata 24ct Silken Shimmer: Tinted Wash Off Tan.

(Boots, £17.49)

Photo: Asos.com

Temperatures might be falling rapidly, but Christmas is the season designed for the LBD. All Vita Liberata products are made from organic ingredients, and are paraben and perfume free. This wash-off tan contains bronzing pearls, which offer a much needed glitz and glow for the party season.

Midnight Poison by Dior

(The Perfume Shop, £63.50)

Photo: Boots.com

This perfume contains hints of black rose, patchouli and amber. Albeit, it is slightly more expensive than other perfumes, but it is the ultimate Christmas (and seductive)  scent.

 

For Him…

Post-Shave Soother Anti-Blemish Formula

(Clinique, £18)

Photo: John Lewis.com

This Clinique product was the winner of the FHM Grooming Awards 2011 for Best Post Shave Product, and is a great gift idea especially now that Movember is out of the way (thank GOD). The soothing ingredients make for more comfortable shaves, and the Aloe-rich formula is nourishing and kind to freshly shaven skin.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million (for men)

(Debenhams, £34.65)

Photo: blog.purentonline.com

With notes of grapefruit, mint, mandarin and cinnamon, this is a really sexy scent for men, and the gold packaging gives it an expensive feel.

 

For Both…

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Bath Oil

(Jo Malone, £38)

Photo: allaboutyou.com

Technically, this is a product for women, but the unique smell can simply only be described as delicious. The Pomegranate Noir range is a genius combination of the rich and spicy scents of pomegranate, raspberry, plum, Casablanca lily and spicy woods. Let’s be honest, nothing says Merry Christmas quite like a few drops of this oil added to a hot, steamy bath. Pure indulgence in a bottle for females and males.

Shoe Amnesty

Shoe Amnesty is a campaign where volunteers from the Manchester Leadership Programme (MLP) are collecting good quality second hand shoes in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Bhagwan Manku explains why this charity is so worthwhile and affects so many people in Britain today:

‘’The volunteers are encouraging University staff, students, local retailers and members of the public to donate unwanted shoes to the charity. We are aiming to collect 599 pairs of shoes, based on the statistic that 599 people died from coronary heart disease in Manchester last year.

‘’Shoe Week is being held on The University of Manchester campus from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th December. Groups of volunteers will be situated around campus throughout the week by having shoe drop-points, engaging staff and students in the campaign. Look out for ‘Hearty’, the British Heart Foundation mascot who will be let loose around campus to spread the word too! In the build-up to Shoe Week, we have placed red donation bins in various locations throughout campus, and have already started to receive a steady stream of donations.

The British Heart Foundation is desperately in need of donations, and with stock like shoes that they can use the money raised to provide vital resources and equipment to heart disease patients. “Each pair of shoes on average raises £5.99 for the charity. Each £5.99 could provide a lifeline for heart patients.’’

Apart from donating all your old unwanted shoes, students are also welcome to get involved in the campaign.  ‘’We are looking for enthusiastic people to volunteer for us on Shoe Week, handing out flyers and really engaging with people about the campaign. As well as targeted university staff and students, we are also planning to target retailers across the city to see if they are willing to support the campaign and donate anything. If they are MLP students or not and are interested in doing their bit for this amazing charity, they can get in touch.”

You can get in contact through Shoe Amnesty’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BritishHeartFoundationShoeAmnesty

Manchester Entrepreneurs Society

Kate Bullivant meets Fahim Sachedina, the president of Manchester Entrepreneurs, to find out more about the society, what they do and more importantly what they can help you to do.

Manchester Entrepreneurs (ME) was set up in 2008 and is now one of the biggest societies at the University of Manchester with over 3,500 people on their mailing list and 50 to 100 active members contributing and taking part every week.

ME’s main aim is to support enterprise and entrepreneurship on campus by supporting ideas, skills and offering help, advice and funding for whatever stage you are at. Through working closely with Manchester Enterprise Centre and with sponsors such as Accenture and RBS, they aim to point aspiring entrepreneurs in the right direction. ME is the key hub for enterprise on campus as they can offer advice, skills workshops, business plans, market research, branding, funding and contacts, all providing a platform for your ideas and skills.

ME meet every Tuesday at 6pm at the Manchester Business School on Booth Street West. During these meetings they provide workshops and host talks by successful entrepreneurs about their business and their journey towards success, offering advice from different perspectives and experience. A lot can be learnt in one hour.

Fahim explains: “University is the best time and place to set up a business as there is absolutely no risk, if you fail then you are in the same position you always were. There’s nothing to lose as it can be done cheaply and efficiently, especially due to the advances in technology and the opportunities the internet can offer. ME is a great place to gain experience and skills which at this point is often more valuable than money. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Joining ME is completely free of charge and as well as helping you along with a career in entrepreneurship, it is also a lot of fun. They hold regular socials and part-own a club night called Runway at Sakura in Deansgate.

ME have already had successes in the past, including PieBoy clothing, which you may have seen around campus selling University merchandise such as beanie hats. PieBoy clothing is now run by the ex-president of ME and they supply four of the biggest UK universities and are a partner of NUS supplier.

ME aim to empower students through entrepreneurship, get them out of their comfort zone by learning as much as they can, utilising their skills and earning money at the same time.

“Anything you are stuck on you can come to us; we’re a bunch of like-minded people with experience that can help you on your way.”

Find out more at  www.manchesterentrepreneurs.org.uk

Judo Society

They were involved in last week’s Society Swap, and if Judo caught your fancy Joseph Perry explains a little more about what Judo is and how you can get involved.

“In simple terms Judo is a type of wrestling and you can think of it as a fighting sport rather than a traditional martial art. The aim of Judo is to throw your opponent to the floor until they tap out or you have held them there for twenty five seconds.”

Their weekly training sessions are run by coach Steve Pullen, who boasts an MBE for his achievements and is also a 6th Dan. This grade is only achievable through exceptional contribution to the sport. Joseph explained how having such an experienced coach boosts the standards of everyone that takes part: “A massive advantage about having Steve with us is that he is ludicrously well-connected. He brings people to the mat we simply would not have otherwise. People like Simon Jackson (a three-time Paralympic gold medallist) and Steve Ravenscroft (Former British and Commonwealth Champion).  Each week Steve runs us through free-practice, technique drills and fitness, which is at the end. It means that you get the most out of the sessions, not only the essential skills but also fitness and a lot of fun!”

You have to wear a jacket and trousers, while different coloured belts are awarded as you progress. From what I could see at the training session there were a lot of blue and black belts, which I was told is quite impressive. The Coach Steve Pullen then told me that for each student he has specific targets and this is usually to get them to black belt by the time they leave Manchester. Having goals and a focus means that the members are really passionate about Judo and have the drive to get better and better. If you want to get involved but don’t have the right kit, this is not a problem because there are a few spares to go around.

Each year, they take part in a series of competitions across the country. Some of their members were very successful at British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) competition, coming home with one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. “We want to continue the high standards, if not make them higher! We’re also working towards making Judo a more cohesive club. We’ve also had a very good intake of women to the sport this year which is really encouraging, especially with the achievements of Gemma Gibbons and Karina Bryant in the Olympics this year, securing silver and a bronze medal.”

New arrivals are ALWAYS welcome. Sessions are held in the Armitage Centre Conference Room 7.00-8:30pm Mondays and Wednesdays.

 

1920s Fashion Icon: Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel, also known as Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, can undoubtedly be described as the Fashion Queen of the 1920s. The French designer somehow managed to change fashion becoming one of the first designers to create ‘looser’ clothing for women. One of the main looks of the 1920s was notably ‘flapper fashion’ which espoused an androgynous appearance.

Coco contributed to this craze by taking inspiration from men’s clothing such as sailor suits, turning them into something chic and sophisticated. She used masculine materials such as jersey and ignored the structure of the 1920s corset to create pieces with boyish charm. Her signature row of pearls helped to maintain the elegant look the women of the 1920s desired. This style inspired the people of America, as audiences watched her costume designs in action in theatre and Hollywood films. Some of Chanel’s more famous pieces include her little black dress and the quilted handbags which can still be still be found on sale today.

Chanel was a busy woman during the 1920s, not only focusing on her fashion range but also introducing her floral smelling ‘Chanel No.5’ perfume in 1922, which is just as popular ninety years later. Coco passed away in 1971 at the age of 87, leaving Karl Lagerfeld to take over as chief designer of Chanel in 1983. However, he still uses her traditional pieces adding a modern twist proving that her fashion and legacy still remains.

Matt Corby

Reality music competitions may have a lot to answer for; responsible for what some have described as the deterioration of music at the hands of corporations hell-bent on making a quick buck. But every so often, reality programming can weave another layer into the rich tapestry of independent music. Matt Corby is proof of this. In 2007, Matt appeared on the reality show Australian Idol as a fledgling musician, whose performances saw him finish runner-up. Since then, Matt moved to London, signed to Mumford and Sons’ Communion Records and embarked on a sold-out UK tour, which tonight brings him to a packed Deaf Institute.

The night’s ambiance, one of electricity and expectation, is crafted during the stunning acoustic renditions of the two support acts; Lucy Mason and Bears’ Den. The sound of the two acts matches the mature crowd that had gathered there that night, but it’s Bears’ Den who really invigorated the crowd with their own distinctive brand of indie folk.

The moment Matt takes to the stage, there’s an ushered silence that remains unbroken until he begins to delicately strum his acoustic guitar. Comparisons have been drawn with the late Jeff Buckley, and it is almost haunting how similar the two sound. To see Matt Corby perform is the closest one can come in witnessing Jeff Buckley before his untimely death. Not to say that he doesn’t accomplish his own distinctive brand of melancholy, underpinned by the obvious blues and jazz influences. Throughout the course of the night, he switches between his acoustic and electric guitar, before finally taking to the keyboard.

Matt makes no qualms about the fact that the evening was to be about just the music; whilst countless musicians feel the need to dress ostentatiously, Matt is nonchalant in his skinny jeans, baggy T and signature pony-tail. Before moving into ‘Letters’, Matt takes a moment to describe the inspiration for the song; a girl who brought him the “closest to love”, leaving the female majority swooning at the thought. Closing out the set with ‘Brother’ – already a major hit in his homeland – Matt restores some optimism in the hearts of the audience, and judging by the subsequent eruption of applause from the crowd, they were appreciative of watching this star in the making.

Live: Passion Pit

16th November 2012

6/10

In today’s terms, a period of two and a half years usually represents less of a period of creative downtime for a band than it does an extended break, especially for one that released a debut record to critical and commercial acclaim; in the midst of an ever-increasing climate of disposability, for a fledgling band to take any longer off than is necessary to produce a slew of new songs to tour behind is a gamble, with the band’s continued presence in the popular imagination at risk. Certainly, Academy 1 is much quieter tonight than the last time Passion Pit appeared here, in March of 2010, although it might be worth noting that the choice of support act last time out – an in-the-ascendancy Ellie Goulding – likely played no small part in filling the venue to capacity.

There are, of course, extenuating circumstances. Passion Pit haven’t been away playing golf, smoking cigars and basking unduly in the success of Manners; frontman Michael Angelakos, who acts as the group’s sole songwriter, has faced a continued battle with bipolar disorder; only this summer were a number of dates in his native U.S. axed, to allow him to “work on improving (his) mental health.” It’s a sequence of events that delayed the release of a second record by over a year from its original target date.

Gossamer finally saw the light of day in July, and Angelakos was well enough for a lap of the European festival circuit, which is where the band first displayed serious live credentials back in 2009; opening tonight’s show with a storming rendition of ‘Take a Walk’, it’s quickly apparent how well served they were by that experience. Angelakos’ energy is infectious, and there’s little to suggest that the band are experiencing anything in the way of road rust. Subsequent airings of choice Manners cuts ‘The Reeling’ and ‘To Kingdom Come’ solidify the set’s strong start, but packing the midsection with a number of tracks from Gossamer proves a mistake; the crowd are clearly comparatively unfamiliar with the new material, with only a modest, diehard sect providing any vigour in their response.

This might also be down to the fact that Gossamer is, in short, little more than an uninspired rehash of Manners; that record was an assured debut with plenty of sonic variety, switching between guitars and synths in a fashion seldom as jarring as it might’ve been, but these fresh tracks often find a way to accommodate excesses not present on its airtight predecessor; ‘Constant Conversations’ is an ill-advised attempt to produce the brand of ‘indie R&B’ currently being done so much better by a host of contemporaries, drawing the crowd into a lull that not even fizzing album highlight ‘Mirrored Sea’ can drag them out of; the drawn-out ennui of ‘It’s Not My Fault, I’m Happy’ sounds especially flat when dropped immediately after the explosive opening hat-trick.

It’s not that Passion Pit aren’t an accomplished live act; Angelakos is genuinely a very engaging frontman, and that the band are no less entertaining without the impressive stage set that accompanied them for their Manners shows is undeniably impressive; a little more selectivity with the new material, in addition to smarter pacing of the set, could place them back where they left off last time round.

Interview: Tim Westwood

Tim Westwood; often considered somewhat of a ‘marmite’ personality, some adore him, others loathe. It just so happens that I adore him. Regardless of varying opinions, the 54 year old DJ from Lowestoft’s role in the UK Urban scene cannot be disputed. Westwood’s love for American Hip-Hop and promotion of home-grown British talent have graced (if you like) the airways of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra for over 20 years, and earned him huge support from Hip-Hop royalty such as Jay-Z, Eminem and 50 Cent.

Despite constant criticism, even from David Cameron (who accuses Westwood of promoting gun violence), alongside the removal of his drive-time spot on BBC 1Xtra earlier this year, The Big Dawg is as cheerful and positive as ever, insisting that ‘life is brilliant, life is bless’. One reason for such optimism may be a recent edition to his plethora of awards, which includes three MOBO’s, three Sony awards and a Pure Music Award for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio’. Westwood defeated the likes of Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk and Jamie Jones in securing U.S. Global Spins’ ‘Europe DJ of the Year’ award. He was humbly elated, describing his success as “crazy” and expressed great regret that he was unable to attend the awards ceremony in New York City due to his even more “crazy” work schedule.

His latest album mix ‘Hardest In The Game, Legends Live Foreva’ , which is available for download on SoundCloud, iTunes and the 1Xtra website, complies the biggest Hip-Hop anthems right now from artists such as Young Money, Waka Floka Flame, 2 Chainz, MMG, Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd. The mix really does sum up a Westwood party- Hip-Hop and R&B mixed with Afro-Beats and Bashment. As The Big Dawg himself says, “there aint no party like a Westwood party, baby”.

In terms of 2012’s best albums, Westwood found difficulty in selecting one, or even two, of his favourites. He eventually selects both 2Chainz’s ‘Based on a T.R.U. Story’, and ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ by Philadelphia’s Meek Mill as the two hottest albums of this year. Unsurprisingly, he also mentions Nicki Minaj’s Roman Reloaded Re-Up Album as one which “can’t be forgotten”, alongside the boss of MMG- Rick Ross’ ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’ and trap music’s very own Waka Flocka Flame’s album ‘Triple F Life: Friends, Fans and Family’.

On the hip-hop talent of the moment Kendrick Lamar, Westwood says there’s “an enormous buzz in the West Coast”, and that he is the height of conversation for “any artist to come from outta LA”. The Compton born-and-raised rapper is described as “an incredible artist”, which needless to say is proven throughout his debut album ‘good kid m.A.A.d city’, which sold 241,000 copies in its first week alone, putting him at number two on the Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart.

As for the UK Music scene, Westwood says there’s “a lot of good things out there”, praising the grime artist J Spades as one to watch for 2013. Another UK artist, Giggs, whose upcoming album’s release has seen a push back, is also a favourite of Westwood’s, who insists Giggs’ album, once released, is to “come with some heat”. As for American artists, The Big Dawg views the current popular hip-hop stars as only to get bigger this coming year, describing Maybach’s Meek Mill and G.O.O.D. Music’s 2Chainz as “crazy beyond belief” and Detroit’s Big Sean as “on fire”.  “A good year ahead” is predicted for the Hip-Hop and UK Grime music scene.

Having played Sankeys just a few weeks ago, Westwood is already looking forward to his return to Manchester’s “excellent party scene” on the 14th of December, when he will be hosting the End of Term Party at Sankeys.  The event is from 10.00pm-4.00am, with last entry at 2.00am. Tickets are £7 for males on the door, and entry for females is free all night. Be sure to come and experience just what Westwood can do to crowds, and as Snoop Dogg puts it; “You can’t be in the Kingdom and not see the Prince”.

http://sankeys.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=11757966

The Night-Wear Before Christmas

As the nights draw in and there’s more grey than day, it’s easy to let your wardrobe become bleaker than midwinter itself. Many will find themselves thinking wishfully of long-gone summer days, not to mention summer dresses, that now seem a remote fantasy in the arctic tundra that is frost-bitten Manchester. However, as the festive season rushes towards us like a glitzy red, green and gold tidal wave, now is certainly not the time to to get SAD (sartorial affective disorder). Instead grab your black opaques and embrace the night and your winter wardrobe by espousing some of AW12/13’s favourite evening/party-wear trends. On the catwalk the frivolous pastel chiffons of SS12 were given a gothic revamp in sumptuously deep plums, burgundies and forest greens. Elsewhere there was velvet, that most luxurious of fabrics, in abundance and lashings of black lace. Prints were opulent jacquards, deluxe devores and resplendent baroques. Well after all, t’is the season to be decadent… On the accessories front there were throat-adorning chokers giving a beguiling gothic edge to the ‘90s trend that’s been going on a while now. All bewitching, but how to do this look on the high street in a way that’s Wednesday Addams and not wednesday-afternoon-school-girl-rebellion-gone-wrong? Well it seems Topshop has all the right, and rather witchy, answers.

Photo: Topshop.com

This prom-style dress, £65, occupies the enigmatic space between lace and embroidery to magnificent effect, this shadowy showstopper is perfect for any party.

Photo: Topshop.com

Or if you prefer a little more colour, sport the season’s favourite hue with this lavish skirt, £28, the red velvet a subtle nod to this month’s man of the moment.

Photo: Topshop.com

These strikingly stompy ankle boots, £95, will add a kick to any outfit, not to mention keep those toes nice and toasty!

Photo: Topshop.com

Finally, this luxurious choker, £35, is just crying out to be artfully layered over a black chiffon collar. So now there’s no excuse (sartorial, anyway) to spend the night hiding away beneath the bedcovers in your onesie, tempting though it may be. Instead baroque and roll into the night and all its beguiling midnight possibilities…