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Month: November 2013

Top 5 Patriotic Ensembles

Written by Scarlett Whittell on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

The bold design of the Union Jack, with its statement red white and blue pattern, has become an iconic look in the world of fashion. Come with me on a stroll down memory lane, as I look at the most memorable outfits and accessories which have been inspired by this British symbol.

 

1) Geri Halliwell

In 1997, Ginger Spice decided to jazz up her LBD with a Union Jack tea towel. Little did she know that her domestic creation would go down as one of the most celebrated outfits in history! We must control ourselves though, not everyone looks that good in a dish cloth. Don’t be tempted to throw away your entire wardrobe in order to start a tea-towel fashion revolution.



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2) Tom Daley

I am fully aware that Tom Daley isn’t a fashion icon. But come on, he looks so damn good in those tiny union jack speedos, it would be a travesty not to include a picture (try not to drool in public). Well done Tom, well done.

 

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3) Katy Perry

Even proud California Girl Katy Perry can’t resist! In 2010 she stepped out in a statement rubber dress, emblazoned with the British and American flags. Inter-continental fashion, I like it.

 

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4) Ollie Locke

Aka. The ultimate patriot. The sadly missed ex-MIC star seems to have an endless supply of union jack suits, as well as a ‘Union Jag’ car to match. Apparently a statement clutch just doesn’t cut it in the celeb world anymore…

 

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5) Austin Powers

Mr Locke is not the only owner of such an impressive accessory. It was darling Austin that set the trend in Goldmember, with his oh-so-tastefully named ‘shaguar’.

So that’s two union jack cars, two dresses, loads of suits and a teeny tiny pair of trunks. Just going to quickly repeat the last one, TEENY TINY TRUNKS. Yep, I think we all know who the winner is.

Best of British: Streetwear

Written by Emmanuel Demuren on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Image: lifestylemirror.com

Indie, that was best of british five years ago. Indie needs little explanation, so I’ll save your time and mine. These days the tide has changed, “streetwear” brands-often described as “wavey”-have taken the throne and I’m very glad that they have.

Streetwear’s origins have been traced back to Shawn Stussy, creator of the infamous “Stussy” brand who was a surfboard designer and began selling Tshirts with his own designs in Los Angeles in the late 1970/early 1980’s. These surf/skate origins have remained ever-present in the essence of modern streetwear; clothes designed for maximum comfort. What is particularly interesting about the streetwear movement is the way that it doesn’t necessarily mean anything in particular. The ambiguity of the phrase “streetwear” has meant that brands have been able to form their own particular styles under the broad heading of streetwear.

Image: theclassyissue.com

Carhartt’s subdivision called “work in progress” which is responsible for their distribution in Europe are better known for urban variations of the traditional workwear that the company was originally popular for. This culture influenced ethos is at the heart of what is particularly cool about streetwear brands; the way that they are influenced by the subcultures that they are created in. For example, Supreme is a clear reflection of New York skate culture; it is a manifestation of the lifestyle through fashion.

The second factor that defines streetwear is the culture of exclusivity. Many clothes come on sale for a limited amount of time and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. So, in a way, collecting items of streetwear manifests into a hobby for many; people want the “rarest garms”.

 

Image: thedailystreet.co.uk

What is great about the uncompromising link between streetwear and the culture that it is formed out of is the way that we now have brands emerging in the UK that are shaped by aspects of our british culture. Perhaps the clearest illustration of this is the highly sought after “Palace skateboarding”, founded by Lev Tanju who said that the name itself was a sarcastic reference to the far from luxurious London “skate houses” that Tanju and his mates lived in. Tanju remarked “I want to do something different that’s honest and I want to show people how sick London and skateboarding is.” That’s what is so sick about streetwear; it’s necessarily linked to the cultures it stems from.

EXCLUSIVE: The Family review and interview with the cast

Written by Robbie Davidson on . Posted in Film.

Dark comedy is a notorious difficult genre to get right. The Family makes a half hearted effort to be a ‘dark comedy’ but sadly fails. But it is not without any redeeming features despite what a well known TV personality was heard to utter as we left our preview screening. Robert De Niro, despite his best efforts, is still has a great screen presence even if he sacrificed artistic integrity for the pay cheque a couple of ‘Meet The Parents’ ago. Besides, De Niro can play gangsters in his sleep (and probably would if the money was right) so The Family is hardly a stretch for the Hollywood great. Indeed at a press conference with the man himself, and co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer and Dianna Agron, De Niro spoke of his plans to reunite with Martin Scorsese in the future- the result of this hopefully more gratifying than The Family.

  De Niro plays mafia boss, Giovanni, who has been placed into a witness protection program with his family after he ‘snitches’ on crime kingpin, Don Luchese (Stan Carp) and now has a heavy price on his head amongst his former Mafia friends. There were some other elements which contributed to Giovanni ending up living in Normandy with his family, but they seemed irrelevant, especially to the director, Luc Besson, who quickly forgets to provide any explanation as to why the FBI would chose to hide a family in a rural village in northern France. De Niro was similarly perplexed as to why his character would be placed in Normandy of all places.

    But to sacrifice the French location would be to sacrifice most of the culture related jokes which Besson insists on just in case we weren’t sure just how foreign American and French people are to each other. In fact Besson’s apparent disdain towards the French and France in general is all the more surprising given that he is actually French himself. Perhaps years of being ridiculed as being the most ‘Hollywood of French filmmakers’ by his compatriots has finally got to him.

  But if The Family is the standard by which we judge him by, then the criticism is hardly an unfair one. Having spent the last decade producing movies with Liam Neeson/Jason Statham (insert as appropriate) travelling around Europe shooting people, it’s refreshing to see he’s equally capable of directing films filled with mindless violence and nonexistent morality.

From left: Dianna Agron, Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Chris Heweitt

The trouble is that you can see what Besson wanted to do, and what I sensed the cast signed up to do: to portray a Mafia family forced to adapt to normal life after a lifetime of crime; balancing the everyday challenges of meeting the neighbours, combating bullies and first love, whilst the threat of retribution from their old lives hangs heavy over them. But all that rests heavily on you actually caring about the family. But when mother Maggie, (Pfeiffer) blows up a shop because the owner mocks American culture, or Giovanni fantasies about sticking his neighbour’s face into hot coal for criticising his barbecue, we’re meant to laugh?

   Comedy and violence can work together as long as the cardinal rule remains that violence has consequences, as so many of De Niro’s previous films have shown. Except here all that the onslaught of violence achieves is a lot of innocent civilians dead and the family relocating, with an unjustified sense of  ‘togetherness’. Most perversely of all, daughter, Bella, (Agron) all ready to  kill herself because the boy she slept with doesn’t want her anymore, thinks better of it when the potential to kill some baddies presents itself instead. If you want to see a film about  murderers in a foreign country trying to cope with the consequences of their actions, watch In Bruges– a film with real darkness and real comedy.

★★

 

Cornerhouse Pick of the Week: Short Term 12

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Film.

Short Term 12 follows a 20-something supervising staff member, Grace (Brie Larson), of a foster care facility as she navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend, Mason (John Gallagher Jr.).

One thing that struck me was the unenviable task the staff had, treading the fine line between being a friend and carer. The instruction given to the new recruit, Nate (Rami Malek), was to just say no to everyone for the first few weeks so they didn’t take advantage of him. Nate is believably naïve, self-centred and finds himself in way over his head.

The final scene is one of the most beautifully-shot, funny yet tangential to the plot. A recurring theme is the children attempting to run from the centre and, by extension, their problems. In this scene, Sammy (Alex Colloway) drapes an American flag over his shoulders and runs in slow motion, chased by the frontline staff.

The plot centres around an at-risk child, Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever), as she is introduced to the centre. Grace sees a kindred spirit in Jayden and, despite stating that she cares for all of the kids in her care equally, Grace seems to go above and beyond to try and save Jayden from her problems.

The other main plot thread is the relationship between Grace and Mason. Despite advocating the value of expressing thoughts and feelings, Grace does not practise what she preaches. It is evident that both have first-hand experience of the care system and Mason is lucky to have had supportive foster parents. Grace is all too aware of the problems Jayden is going through and the coping mechanisms she adopts.

On that note, I feel obligated to warn viewers that the film does touch on sensitive themes, including self-harm, sexual abuse, abortion and suicide. Thankfully these themes were all explored in a mature, tasteful and elegant manner.

Scripts focused on fostering are dependent on child actors faithfully portraying the delicate scenes.  Fortunately, brilliant turns by Colloway, Dever and Keith Stanfield as a kid approaching his eighteenth birthday give their scenes the needed frailty and emotional clout to faithfully depict their characters. The adult cast is by no means lacking though. Larson brings a multi-layered performance that should receive some recognition, even if just to win her next role.

I feel the film loyally portrayed events that could arise in an American care centre. The culturally diverse cast helps to show that anyone can be left without someone to care for them at that age.

The film could have easily been defeatist and dreary with the themes it explores. Luckily it remains positive, heart-warming and even cute.

Preview: Noah

Written by Jack Crutcher on . Posted in Film.

As with any screen adaptation of a best-selling book, you could say there are certain risks that come with the journey from page to screen. But unlike other projects of this nature, the film in question is attempting to re-create one of the best known stories the Bible ever told. This really begs the question, why would anybody want to take on the pressure of adapting a book that can claim to have changed the world and that still consistently sells millions of copies worldwide, centuries after it was first published?

This coming March Noah will, god willing, arrive in UK cinemas with a fair amount of hype already surrounding its public image. Director Darren Aronofsky has assembled an eye-catching cast for, what he and Paramount Pictures will hope turns out to be, an equally eye-catching epic. Russell Crowe will take on the role of Noah, Jennifer Connelly will play Noah’s wife Naameh and Anthony Hopkins stars as Noah’s Grandfather, Methuselah. Emma Watson, Ray Winston and Kevin Durand also star in what shapes up to be an impressive, if not dangerously weighty cast. With so many big names on show and the stories Biblical origins making it such a visceral work to millions, the pressure and expectation on this film to succeed, where similarly brave projects have historically failed, could not be higher. And it is fair to say that production has not gone as smoothly as Aronofsky and Paramount would have liked.

Last month it emerged that initial screenings of Noah intended to gauge public reaction to its take on the original story had not gone to plan. Feedback from Christian and Jewish audiences in New York were far from positive, and said reaction has since caused a dispute between Aronofsky and production company Paramount. Paramount have preceded to show different cuts of the movie to varying audiences in an effort to figure out which cut will best please the broadest demographic of people. Ultimately Aronofsky wants artistic license to make the film he envisaged, and Paramount perhaps understandably, want a film that will bring commercial success in an increasingly competitive market, leading to deadlock.

It is not a surprise that a film which deals with a story so integral to the beliefs of millions of people worldwide is proving difficult to find a balance between the art of cinema and the cold reality of finding acceptance in a money making industry. Whether Noah turns out to be Biblically accurate or not remains a contentious issue – does it need to be? That may depend on your religious conviction. However its commercial success is more than probable. Aronofsky has had almost unencumbered success with past work and boasts a portfolio that includes both Black Swan and Requiem for a Dream. With the impressive cast and a film-loving public desperate for a Gladiator-esque blockbuster, with scale and conviction a plenty (enter Russell Crowe), Noah has every chance of making floods of money in 2014.

UK Release Date: 28th March 2014.

Contrary Corner: Almost Famous but never quite the hit

Written by Nikolas McNally on . Posted in Film.

The box office bomb of Oliver Hirshbiegel’s royalist-bait Diana biopic to compliment it’s critical mauling shows the rare commercial failure of a genre littered with banal Oscar begging (The King’s Speech) and vapidly toothless portrayals of their muses (Notorious and The Iron Lady, which manage to transform The Notorious B.I.G into Mother Teresa and Margaret Thatcher into something only half Satanic). The general success of biopics is disheartening not only as it stifles the chances of film studios gambling on funding innovative fiction, but because the storytelling scarcely lives up to the interest of their subjects.

Enter Almost Famous; an exception to the latter which wears both its heart and sharp tongue on its sleeve. Based on director Cameron Crowe’s experiences in the 1970s as a 15 year-old writer for Rolling Stone, the film chronicles teen prodigy William Miller’s (Patrick Fugit) time on tour with up-and-coming band Stillwater, where his quest to obtain an interview is drowned by the alluring wilderness of rock ‘n roll and escapism into a fever dream world much unlike his own.

Though the film is a love letter to the 60s and 70s rock that defined the times, Almost Famous portrays the scene surrounding the music with a less devout intricacy. Crowe candidly sheds light on the band’s envious inner turmoil and the hypocrisy of supposedly ‘doing it for the fans’ as well as the unabashed sensationalism of mainstream journalism, with Rolling Stone editor Ben Fong-Torres almost salivating at a version of the interview featuring the band’s near-death in a plane crash amidst comically stupendous acid trips. Most poignantly though is Crowe’s depiction of the warm yet fragmented relationships between wayward souls on the road, particularly through William’s infatuation with the whimsical Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), a self-branded ‘band aid’ (a.k.a groupie). The character’s gravitational pull towards the lifestyle and each other is threatened by real-world responsibilities and relationships, disillusionment towards idols (‘Just make us look cool’, the Stillwater lead singer responds in lieu of an actual interview) and unrequited affection. Though the script is laced with sharp one-liners and moments of warmth, the film evokes a distinct bittersweet resonance when exploring the implications of this nether-zone between fantasy and reality, as wide-eyed idealism towards a seemingly carefree life is grounded down to weary disenchantment.

‘Be honest and unmerciful’, legendary rock journalist Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman) advises William, a message most biopics could stand to heed. Despite failing to break even when in 2000 and remaining largely undiscussed, Almost Famous, through a stellar soundtrack, shrewd script and affecting performances all-round, deserves a look-in as a refreshingly honest biopic. ‘Experience it. Enjoy it. Just don’t fall for it.’

Review: The Counsellor

Written by Leo Mates on . Posted in Film.

I’d like to start this review by saying this: I really wanted to like this film. In fact, I wanted to love it. Unfortunately, The Counselor is just terrible. The film revolves around a lawyer (Michael Fassbender), inexplicably only known as “Counselor”, who involves himself in a drug deal with an extravagant drug dealer/nightclub owner who likes cheetahs (Javier Bardem) and a middle-man who likes women (Brad Pitt). The deal goes wrong, because this is a movie and that’s all that ever happens when a drug deal is involved, and Fassbender realises he’s gotten himself in too deep. Also, Fassbender is going out with Penelope Cruz, who may as well be wearing a sign saying “I will end up dead because of this deal”, and Cameron Diaz pops up every now and again to deliver nonsensical dialogue in a monotone. I’m aware that that’s a really terrible description of the plot, but unfortunately that’s because I never had any idea what was going on (I saw it with a friend who felt the same way, so I’m pretty sure it’s not just me). The film is littered with scenes that have no relevance to the rest of the plot, and characters are frequently thrown in without any explanation of who they are or why they’re there, and are promptly forgotten the moment the scene is finished. The entire story grinds to a halt at one point as we stop to listen to Javier Bardem tell us, in a speech that lasts a good five minutes, about how Cameron Diaz had sex with the windshield of his car (I wish I was making this up). Even worse, we get to see Diaz do just that, whilst Bardem mimics the audience’s shocked and slightly disgusted faces in what I can only assume was meant to be a fantastically clever bit of fourth-wall breaking. At the end of the speech, Fassbender asks him, ‘what does this have to do with the deal?’ at which point Bardem has to sheepishly admit that it has nothing to do with the deal, or the plot, and the entire incident is never mentioned again.

I could go on for pages and pages, pointing out just everything that either made no sense in this film, or was just outright unpleasant to watch. I could tell you about how tonally, it’s about as consistent as a tiger caught in a tornado, as it shifts from gritty gangster drama, to thoughtful discourse on the nature of death, to porn film. I could even tell you about how Cameron Diaz has about as much acting ability as a jacket potato. Unfortunately, my word limit won’t let me, so I’ll end by saying that I do in fact think that this film should be seen, if only as an example of how a fantastic cast, a world class director, and a truly great scriptwriter (Cormac McCarthy, writer of No Country For Old Men and The Road), is no guarantee that a film will be good. That’s what saddens me most about this, the sheer amount of talent that has been completely wasted. So do see it, but see it as a cautionary tale. But for god’s sake, don’t pay for it.

Dating for the 4G generation

Written by Moya Crockett on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Until this summer, I’d never heard of Tinder. My friend Grace and I were having lunch, and she was simultaneously chatting and scrolling through her iPhone, in that casual way that young people barely notice and proper adults find stunningly rude. Suddenly, she grinned, and held up her phone for me to see what was distracting her. Floating above two photos – one of my friend, one of some guy I’d never seen before – swirly letters proclaimed, “It’s a Match!” I didn’t understand what I was looking at. “You and Alex have liked each other,” the screen informed, matter-of-factly. Grace had two options: “Send a Message,” or “Keep Playing.”

This, then, is Tinder; this, then, is romance reduced to its barest bones. It is to online dating what a tweet is to a lengthy blog post, in that only the most basic details make the cut. The free app uses Facebook to create a profile (a couple of photos, your first name, age and interests), and your location to match you with people nearby. You can see what, if any, friends and interests you have in common. If you like their profile, you swipe right; if it’s a no, you swipe left. If you “like” someone and they like you back, you’re a match, and the floor is yours to start exchanging messages.

I was, quite frankly, astonished. Internet or mobile dating, to my uninitiated mind, was reserved for middle-aged divorcees and thirty-something women who’ve suddenly remembered that they wanted to have a kid at some point – in other words, people who’ve exhausted all their other options. But we’re young, and we’re not so unattractive that people actively run away screaming from us on the street. We have uni, and nightclubs, and house parties, and festivals, and friends-of-friends, and all those other tried-and-tested methods of finding someone to be your boyfriend or girlfriend, or at least maybe have sex with you. And yet here was my attractive, intelligent, responsible, funny friend, cheerfully swapping messages with a stranger who she’d met on her phone.

Grace assured me that there was no stigma attached to Tinder. “It’s not weird. Everyone at my uni’s on it.” But as David Mitchell put it in a recent article in the Observer, although “everyone’s saying how internet dating is the future – the technological solution to busy, modern disconnected urban life,” the mere fact that you have to bring up the concept of shame implies that there is some shame in it. “Nobody ever bothered to point out that there’s no shame in eating soup or going for a walk.” Indeed. I think this gets to the crux of what innately weirds me out about Tinder. Is it not just a bit cringe? I have always, perhaps mistakenly, placed at least some value on the subtle art of playing it cool when it comes to romance. Maybe I’m wrong, but that period of liking someone – that torturous, squirmy time of not quite knowing whether they even know you’re alive, but then, oh, CHRIST, they’ve texted you, and maybe they’re only asking what your plans are tonight because they want an invite to your friend’s house party, but also, maybe this is the best day ever, but then of course once you get to the party you will have to be incredibly nonchalant yet effortlessly charming – isn’t that the exciting part of the whole ordeal? You can’t play it cool if you’re on Tinder. Tinder wipes the mystery out of fancying someone in the swipe of a screen. It’s the technological equivalent of walking up to someone on the street and shouting “YOU’RE FIT!” in their face.

But it seems that millions of young people don’t share my reservations. Tinder is targeted at people between 18 and 35 years old, and it’s insanely popular, currently averaging around 2 million users a day. The average Tinder user checks the app 11 times per day, seven minutes at a time. In the spirit of journalistic enquiry – and reasoning that there must be something in this kind of phenomenon – I ignore my misgivings. I download the app.

Ten minutes later, I have been completely absorbed. I am flicking through photos of boys I’ve never met and dismissing them almost immediately. No, thank you, Joe, 23; I don’t like boys who wear vests. Ew, no, thanks, George, 22 – weird eyebrows, bad shirt. It’s horribly compelling. For something ostensibly so personal, the process is bizarrely sterile, almost abstract. It doesn’t feel at all like these are real people. It feels like I’m flicking through the Argos catalogue and not seeing any toys I like. There are a couple of absolute crackers, and not in a good way. Special mention has to go to “Niall, 25”, who has chosen as his profile picture a photo of him on a mad one at a foam party, topless, in a Santa hat, sticking his tongue out at the camera. Truly, every young girl’s dream. I’m also surprised to see the amount of boys that have put their Snapchat names on their profiles. Why? Am I being naïve? Is it because they think girls might send them pictures of their boobs? Why? Screenshots of Niall and characters like him can be found at a Tumblr called Twats of Tinder, which is possibly the most 2013 sentence I’ve ever written. For the most part, though, there’s nothing overtly wrong with the boys I swipe into the rejection pile. They’re just normal-looking guys, and while some of them are probably interesting and kind and funny and likable and charming in real life, it’s pretty difficult to get any of that from what is essentially a Top Trump card. I try to imagine what kind of dazzling profile might prompt a swipe-right from me, and it’s a struggle. I certainly can’t see myself ever going to meet someone from the app in the actual living-and-breathing 3D world.

The majority of Tinder users, it transpires, are with me on that. A recent poll found that only 1 in 5 people who use the app have actually met up with one of their matches, which seems a low figure, particularly when you consider that other mobile dating apps have a 66% average meet rate. Of all the people I know who use Tinder, the vast majority of them are quick to dismiss the idea that they might actually be using it to find romance. “No, no, obviously not,” says Tom, 22. “It’s just fun to be able to be like, yes, no, no, no, yes. Like a power thing, maybe.”  The other Tinderers I know concur. No, they say emphatically, obviously they’re not really trying to meet people on it. When I ask why not, they’re all weirdly evasive. The closest I get to an explanation is from a friend who says, “The girls on Tinder aren’t edgy enough.” He’s joking (I think), but ties in with my earlier point about wanting to at least maintain a façade of cool in your quest for love.

For all our many great qualities, our generation does tend towards narcissism, and the attention span of your average 18-to-25-year-old is probably not that dissimilar to that of a gnat. Every human being since the dawn of time has loved the quick, meaningless ego boost of being told that you’re hot, but Instagram and Facebook mean that we’ve become almost reliant on this kind of positive reinforcement. And you only have to fidget through the painfully long opening credits of a film from the 1950s to recognize how much we’ve come to hate waiting for anything. Tinder requires zero emotional engagement and indulges our vanity with the promise of a match, and so in many ways, it’s the perfect app for young people today. But actually, my little foray into Tinder-world has reassured me that it’s no threat to actual romance. It might be a little depressing, but for most people, it’s just a bit of fun.

Before I go to delete my account, I have one last scroll through the profiles. I don’t seem to have anything in common with anyone on here: as I’m told again and again: “Shared Interests: 0.” Alright, alright. Do I occupy such a niche gap in the market? Aha! Andy, 23. One shared interest. Well, it’s a start. What do Andy and I have in common? I click. We both, at one point, have liked a Facebook page called “I lol’d at this seal.” Alright. I’m out.

Do you agree? Have you experienced dating on Tinder? Get involved in the comments below, or email us at [email protected]. 

Study Abroad Report: Beijing

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Lifestyle.

When I arrived in Beijing at the end of this summer to study Chinese, I had some serious adjustments to make. An average day at uni here begins at 8am. I know – 8am! Despite the early start, there can be no zoning out during class. Chinese is the common language between the English, American, European, Asian, and South American students, and so that’s the language in which we’re taught. No English. Only Chinese. For about four hours straight. It’s hardly surprising that people put their head down in the breaks to snooze.

We’ve all been assigned Chinese language partners, and it’s honestly frustrating how good their English is in comparison to our Chinese. They’re able to discuss their opinions on politics, popular culture, art and food, which is doubly impressive when you realise that most of them have never travelled farther than Beijing. It was pretty nerve-wracking to realise upon arrival that I couldn’t really speak any Chinese. But hey ho, we are definitely progressing: I mean, I had a full-on Chinese phone conversation with the water supplier, and

he turned up to the correct address with the correct amount of water and everything.

The first thing to say in regards to the nightlife here is that no, not everyone goes red when they drink alcohol in China. There’s a huge clubbing scene in Beijing and its definitely not just for the foreigners. Some clubs are packed with merry Chinese crowds grinding on one another, just like in a cheesy club in Manchester. Other clubs are full of desperate westerners who believe that your mutual western-ness means you should spend hours talking to them. I get it – common ground and all that – but sometimes you don’t want to go for dinner just because you both speak English! Speaking of dinner, Chinese food in China is so much better than in the UK. The street food knocks the socks off Kebab King. Top dishes include melt-in-the-mouth steamed dumplings, egg coriander pancakes, tofu to satisfy any steak lover, and street BBQ of anything, from chicken hearts to aubergine to squid. For dessert, there’s ice cream, weird

jellies and bubble tea drinks that can keep me entertained for hours. And when it all costs less than a pound, you’re free to try everything! The low cost of food in Beijing means that it’s possible to live like royalty on a budget of about £25 a week.

The biggest difference between student life in China and the UK is that going to university in China doesn’t seem to symbolise “growing up.” There is a huge lack of emphasis on becoming independent, developing social skills and making your own decisions. The focus of university is simply to study, study, study. This is boosted by the lack of privacy given to the Chinese students: they share a room with up to five other people, and there’s a big lack of communal space and kitchen facilities, supposedly because it’s too “dangerous.” Many students have no choice but to study, because what else are they going to do? Relationships are compromised, too – the courtyard outside our halls is full of Chinese students snogging till midnight because they have nowhere else to go. I’m all for studying, but this is kind of depressing. Come on China, social education is important too.

The district of Gulou is similar to the Northern Quarter: it’s full of Chinese hipsters in black maxi dresses with the sleekest long black hair, boys with high ponytails and leather jackets, and vintage shops that hold some pretty sweet deals. Earlier this week, I spotted a lady who wouldn’t look out of place in Manchester, dressed in a silver and pink ski suit with matching Air Max 90’s. While many a Manchester student might take a liking to this look, I think she might have been an accidental hipster. At night, Gulou is for the quirky and cool of Beijing: it’s a lot less sweaty than Wudaoku, the student area, and the advice is to “wear all black.” On our first night out in Gulou we were ecstatic to hear some Motown and disco tunes that made the Wudaoku’s Miley Cyrus obsession a distant memory.

While you guys in Manchester are gearing up towards a long Christmas holiday, in Beijing we’re in study mode until January. Beijing is adapting itself to the cool northern winds rushing in from Mongolia, and the street food vendors are wrapping themselves up and roasting chestnuts. China is truly different to the UK and constantly surprising: I’m very excited to see what the winter has in store.

Swansea University Pole Fitness Society re-instated

Written by Aidan Gregory on . Posted in News.

Swansea University students have voted to allow their Pole-Fitness Society to be given back its Students’ Union affiliation after losing it for being ‘linked’ to the “sex industry”.

The referendum, which saw a majority of 132 to 10 in favour, was put to the student body after the Union admitted its decision to ban the Pole-Fitness society from being affiliated with the SU was “wrong”.

The original decision to bar the pole fitness society was taken at a Swansea University Students’ Union Trustee Meeting in September, but the decision only became public late last month.

In the letter issued by the Students’ Union (SUSU) to the society the SU had argued that pole-fitness society was to be removed due to its “inextricable link to the multi-million pound sex industry”.

It went on further, “although ‘pole fitness’ is sold as an empowering activity, we believe that women have been deceived into thinking this is a way of taking charge of their sexuality and their own decisions.

“As a Students’ Union, we should not be deaf to the very real issue of ‘pole fitness’ playing a part in upholding this ‘Raunch Culture’ and objectification of women and girls and the impact of this on our female students.”

The decision immediately caused uproar at the University, and anger from the national pole-fitness community.

Bethan Morris, President of the Pole Fitness Society at the University, in an interview with SU-TV, argued, “the aspects of the letter where they insinuate that if you partake in a pole-fitness class, you’re basically putting yourself at risk of domestic and sexual violence is absolutely ridiculous.”

Also, she said “pole fitness is in no way associated with the sex industry” and “the idea that we’ve hoodwinked young girls into coming is also absolutely ludicrous.”

Sam Remmar from Pole Dance Community (PDC) weighed in to the argument.

In an open letter to the SUSU, he wrote, “We would like to question why you think the society does not promote gender equality when the group takes on both male and female members and is clear in its promotion. We also noticed you have a cheer leading society which is still active and only takes on female members.”

The letter gave the student governing body three options – justify the decision, admit they were wrong, or all tender their resignations.

Following the result of the vote, the pole fitness society will be reinstated with immediate effect.

Review: My Mother’s Castle by Marcel Pagnol

Written by Shanda Moorghen on . Posted in Books.

Born in 1895 in Marseille, Marcel Pagnol was one of the finest playwrights and novelists of his generation. He is often credited with being at the forefront of early 20th century French theatre with popular plays like Marius and Fanny. However, Pagnol made his name as a novelist with Jean de Florette and Manon of the Springs as well as with a series of autobiographical novels known as Memories of Childhood.

Published in 1957, My Mother’s Castle, the second novel in the series, was his most critically acclaimed book. In it, Pagnol reminisces on summer holidays he spent with his family in the hills of ‘Les Bellons’ at ‘La Bastide Neuve’ in the early 1900s. Young Marcel meets Lili, a boy from the hills who teaches him how to set traps and hunt. Marcel and Lili quickly become best friends and spend most of the summer together. Marcel’s father Joseph, a teacher, also spends his mornings hunting, while his mother Augustine, a seamstress, cares for the other two children of the family, Paul and Germaine.  As the summer draws to a close, the family prepares to return home – much to the dismay of Marcel who attempts to run away with Lili.

Back home, however, the family finds it difficult to settle back into their routine, and Joseph devises a plan that will allow them to enjoy the best of both worlds. Initially, taking a rather long route, they go to the hills every weekend, but the trip proves too tiring for the family. Thanks to Bouzigue, one of Joseph’s past students, they manage to find a shorter route, which involves going through several private properties. However, this proves to be a particularly stressful time for Augustine, who crumbles in fear every time she approaches a particular castle.

Pagnol works his storytelling magic throughout this tale of nostalgia, loss and one son’s unequivocal love for his mother.  My Mother’s Castle is a gem of French literature and probably the most beautiful tribute Pagnol could give to his mother.

Several years later, Pagnol bought the castle – his mother’s castle. “All this time, she never knew she was at her son’s place,” he later said.

Dysfunctional families in American literature

Written by Katie Myerscough on . Posted in Books.

American Pastoral by Philip Roth

A devastating Philip Roth masterpiece, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel traces the disintegration of middle class athlete-turned-businessman Seymour ‘The Swede’ Levov’s first marriage and his complete estrangement from his daughter-turned-domestic terrorist Merry. The novel, set in 1960s’ Newark, uses the political and social furore of the time as a backdrop for Levov’s unravelling. Nathan Zuckerman (Roth’s oft-used literary stand-in) narrates and attempts to piece together Levov’s story from a few newspaper clippings, chance meetings and half-remembered stories. Stunning in scope and execution, this novel stands as one of Roth’s finest and as a powerful evocation of the end of the American Dream.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

They don’t come much more dysfunctional than the Lisbon family in Jeffrey Eugenides’ 1993 debut The Virgin Suicides.  The suicides of the five girls of the family are narrated by a huddle of teenage boys who, years later, are still fascinated and nonplussed by the girls’ short lives and tragic deaths. This slim novel is set in 1970s’ Grosse Point, Michigan and is richly descriptive and evocative. A sense of melancholy hangs over the narrators as they pick through the Lisbon’s trash trying to find clues that would point to the reasons behind the girls’ deaths. As readers, we join them, on the outside looking in, trying to make sense of the insensible.

Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner

A complicated, involved and difficult novel, this is ultimately a rewarding if rather frustrating read. Some of the frustration comes from the impossibility of pinning down the Sutpen family, the reasons for their rise and the designs behind their complete collapse in the antebellum South. While nothing is certain, what is clear is that issues of sexual jealousy, incest, and fears of miscegenation circle and encompass the Sutpen family. This allows Faulkner to raise (if not answer) questions of race and gender, memory and motivation, triumph and tragedy.

Live: Local Natives / Cloud Control / Breton

Written by Matthew Staite on . Posted in Music.

27th October

Ritz

7/10

It’s a strange feeling when you walk away from a gig feeling that the headline act wasn’t as good as the bands which were supporting them on the night. In Local Natives’ defence the support bands are both established acts, with Cloud Control having just released their second album, and Breton on the cusp of releasing their second early next year.

Breton open the show with previous singles ‘Edward the Confessor’ and ‘Interference’. They have a unique sound, which is a blend between the sombre tones of Foals, and elements of electro from Hot Chip. We are treated to a few more pulsating grooves from their first album, but not before Breton play their recent single ‘Get Well Soon’, and another song from their upcoming second album. The new songs have a lush disco feel, with a driving funky bass and steel drums. Yes, steel drums. They can’t help but whet our appetites for album two.

Next up are Cloud Control. Most of the seven songs the four piece from Australia play are from their recent second album. Their unique psychedelic sound is built up of harmonic vocals, which are especially prevalent in ‘Dojo Rising’, and ‘Scar’. Luckily they haven’t completely turned their backs on their previous material, and they finish by playing ‘Gold Canary’, and ‘There’s Nothing in the Water’.

By this point the Ritz is filling up, and anticipation for the Local Natives is rising. When they come on, they play a set heavy with material from their second album, but it is songs from their first album, such as ‘World News’, featuring a cappella vocals and tight, jangly guitars, and ‘Warning Signs’, that bring the biggest reception from the crowd. However, while Local Natives have a good sound, few of their songs are big tunes which stand out from the rest. Luckily the Natives save the day by leaving their best songs such as ‘Camera Talk’, ‘Airplanes’ and ‘Sun Hands’ until the end, which revives the set and gets the crowd going. It’s just a shame they couldn’t have kept this energy going throughout the set.

Interview: London Grammar

Written by Niamh Leneghan on . Posted in Music.

London Grammar have had a busy year, from uploading their first single ‘Hey Now’ to YouTube in December 2012, then getting signed and releasing their debut studio album If You Wait this September, reaching No.2 in the UK charts. The London based group’s music has been described as a ‘blend of ambient, ethereal and classical sounds’, with Hannah Reid’s powerful vocals, Dan Rothman’s melancholic guitar and Dot Major’s electronic percussion and piano. I got speaking to Dan in the middle of their sound check for their Manchester gig at Sound Control, on the 27th of October.

‘It’s been crazy’ exclaims guitarist Dan, ‘at first it was really casual, me and Hannah met in our first year in halls at Nottingham University, and just played covers in clubs and bars. We then met Dot about a year and a half later and started making more of our own music, and then just as we were about to graduate we got spotted. At this stage we had no fan base whatsoever so we just decided to go ahead and make an album. Even when we got signed no one knew about us at all, so we started from the beginning and put out the first song online, and since then it has really taken off’.

Although it sounds like an overnight success, Dan seemed to have had his fair share of trial and error before London Grammar set sail. ‘I was in bands before and getting signed was all that was on my mind. If you just concentrate on the music and forget about it all, you know, someone will find you,’ advised Dan. ‘I always wanted to do music, however I had to give up on the idea of wanting to become a musician when I was 20 and thought maybe I’d just work in the industry, with record companies, and I fucking hated it. Then I started the band with Hannah just for fun, and funnily enough it finally happened.’ Studying Economics at University you wouldn’t think that this would have been where Dan would find himself, ‘I just thought music literally wasn’t going to happen so was like right let’s get a real job. I felt like I had to be a realist about it, I love music but I wouldn’t forgo not having any success in anything, just to be a struggling musician, which a lot of people would probably criticise me for, but that’s genuinely how I felt. I met my girlfriend and two of the most talented musicians I’ll ever meet, so it really worked out for the best in the end’.

Over the summer London Grammar were featured on many festival line ups including Glastonbury, ‘I had never even been before so to play there was amazing, if you can get tickets you have to go! However a particular favourite of mine was Wilderness festival in Oxford, the sister festival of the Secret Garden Party. It wasn’t overly big, but it’s getting bigger. We actually missed our set and had to play later as we had so much fun exploring the festival.’ At Bestival, Hannah came on stage and sang their track ‘Help Me Lose my Mind’ with Disclosure. ‘Collaborating with Disclosure was always kind of expected because of Hannah’s voice, and our managers knew each other, and with their popularity they boosted our name in a really positive way. What Disclosure have done is incredible, they have a fan base of young people that is just unparalleled. At Bestival it was crazy seeing thousands of teenagers just fucking losing it, our adrenaline was pounding when we played on the same stage just before’.

The band are currently in the middle of a huge tour, however Dan suggests that they feel much more at home in the studio. ‘We’re not really built for the road, like some rock bands are. Hannah tires a lot especially with her voice, however she is improving and getting a lot stronger. It’s weird because we were in the studio for so long, over eighteen months making the record, I think now being on the road, for the first time really, it’s still kind of exciting. I’m sure in six months time I’ll probably be busting to get back into the studio!‘ Before starting their UK leg of the tour London Grammar had been on the road in the USA. ‘I love travelling, it’s incredible fun. Just seeing people singing along to our songs in places you never expected is just amazing. Being on the road we unfortunately don’t get much time to actually visit where we have performed, for example in San Francisco we played a gig and left and that was it, however in Chicago we had the whole day off and got to explore.’

Frequently compared to The XX and Florence and the Machine, London Grammar have produced a very unique style, bringing minimalist and electronic melodies together, with a souring, magical voice. ‘Initially we didn’t have similar tastes, and would argue a lot about music’, laughed Dan, ‘it’s only really been over time that we’ve became more aligned with our tastes. When I first met Dot for example we were poles apart, which was great in a way as we brought many different influences to the table. Groups like Radiohead, The National and Little Dragon we all really love. At the moment I have played Half Moon Run’s album Dark Eyes to death, it’s great. This pretty unknown band called Tripwires are also fucking amazing, if you like grungey sort of music you should definitely check them out, their album’s called Space Hopper, advised Dan.

Keep your eyes peeled this year for London Grammar, they have plenty of stops left on their UK tour; and their album is a must listen!

Live: Washed Out

Written by Samuel Ward on . Posted in Music.

22nd October

Gorilla

6/10

It’s pretty smoky in Gorilla on a dark and rainy Tuesday evening. The final support act sips his cocktail of beer and orange juice, assuring us it’s a “pretty decent combination”, and whacks on another house beat. The scattering of live vocals and trumpet keeps us sane for just long enough. Finally Washed Out clamber on to the stage, seemingly out of nowhere, and launch into Paracosm’s first track “It All Feels Right” – of which it does, for the first few minutes. It’s tropical and ambient yet the crowd are statues. The cold, dead, terracotta/paisley army of hipsters must be to blame as the set descends into a wall of sound for the next forty minutes. The shoegazey-rhythmic blowout is usually a good laugh, but it doesn’t suit Washed Out. Forget the distortion and the blasting, they should be about the tranquil, the serene; and I just don’t hear it.

The drums murmur an underlying groove which is definitely enough to bite into, but the array of Korgs scattered around the stage too-easily drown out everything else. Greene, birther of the Washed Out brainchild, seems too acclimatised to the bedroom DJ sets and doesn’t use the backing band effectively enough.

There is potential though, as the set begins to become clearer and more focussed, as if the water in the ears has escaped or the smoke has lifted and pulled with it the spirit of the music. I, and maybe even the crowd, really enjoyed the last quarter of the gig and I felt that Washed Out deserve another chance, when it isn’t cold or damp. They deserve the outdoors and the summer, or at least a better sound system. Maybe then the band’s ambitious and vivid sound won’t feel so washed out.

Shimmer chic

Written by Skye Scott on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

‘Tis the season to glitter, sparkle and shine. With this seasons futuristic, metallic trend you can do just that. From shiny shoes to full-length embellished dresses in metallic hues of pink, green, silver and gold, there is something metallic for everyone this season.

 

Not all metallic have to be gaudy and garish. These mint green metallic loafers give a subtle nod to the trend without being too much. They are sensible and practical enough to wear all day everyday, as well as making a unique going out flat shoe.  Not only are they practical and comfortable but also they are pretty enough to be a Christmas decoration in themselves. Wear them for day with black skinny jeans and an oversized jumper. Alternatively, wear them with denim shorts and this season’s silky camisole for a casual but evening Christmas look. You can’t say no now, they are even in the sale!

www.h&m.co.uk
£14.99

Metallic clothing can make a daytime look spring to life and that doesn’t mean it has to be ultra shiny or glittery. This chiffon metallic top can be worn for day and night to add a subtle sheen to an otherwise bland and boring outfit. The plain colour makes it wearable and versatile. This season is all about texture so layer it up with a leather skirt and furry jacket. Or how about wearing the metallic t-shirt with this season’s checked trousers for ultimate fashion brownie points. Don’t worry though, it doesn’t have to be trend on trend. Even once Christmas is over you’ll be able to wear it tucked in to denim jeans for a fashionable casual look.

 

www.topshop.co.uk
£38

Don’t be scared of this statement metallic skirt. Plastic, coated fabrics are key this season and this skirt encompasses this as well as the metallic trend.  The pencil skirt shape makes sure that you stay elegant and feminine whilst the silver colour and metallic effect keeps you bang on trend. If you’re not feeling silver, Topshop have the skirt on offer in many colour variations to suit you. This seasons pink jumper would work great to keep it a girly but casual look or wear it sports style with a sweatshirt and trainers. Rock it up by night by wearing it with a black crop top and leather jacket.

www.asos.co.uk
£45.50

 

Metallic dresses may have you thinking of fairies, princesses and Christmas angels but this metallic and velvet dress from ASOS is sophisticated and cool.  Velvet is a must have fabric in the Christmas season and this purple velvet dress with gold metallic flecks is the height of luxury metallic dressing. This dress is bound to get heads turning at your Christmas party worn with plan black sandals or even matching gold metallic shoes. Don’t be scared to wear it by day either, wear it with black tights, ankle boot and a chunky scarf for a statement Christmas daytime outfit. It’s in the sale now so be quick.

Should we still wear the poppy?

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Opinion.

YES

Shanda Moorghen

On the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the First World War officially came to an end. It marked the conclusion of five years of conflict which culminated in approximately nine million deaths.

On this day, for the past 90 plus years, Remembrance Day has been celebrated in honour of those who died in all the wars down the years. The red poppy worn by millions during this period embodies the idea of having gone through that tragedy. As the poem ‘In Flanders’ suggests, through the destruction of war, the red poppies managed to grow and shine through.

However, in recent times, the red poppy has been much more than a symbol in the United Kingdom. The Royal British Legion organises the distribution of red poppies throughout the country in exchange for donations in name of the Poppy Appeal. Almost everyone including politicians, celebrities and even the Royal Family wear the red poppy during that period. The money from the Poppy Appeal goes into providing financial, social, political and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces.

Even though some view this as a pro-war propaganda, the red poppy only suggests the reality of contemporary international relations. Troops are essential in ensuring political and economic stability throughout the globe and it is only logical that fellow countrymen contribute in giving them every chance of doing their job properly and returning home safely.

Furthermore, for many soldiers, coming back home and the return to reality can be very hard. The charities benefitting from the Poppy Appeal help largely in rehabilitating those men and women who have served so that we can sleep in peace.

But, many argue that the wearing of the red poppy is only a seasonal fashion trend that induces patriotism for a few weeks. It is obviously the case for a part of the population, but general awareness is increasing in recent years, and all in all, at least the money goes to the charities.

Another objection to that practice is the idea that the red poppy glorifies wars that have mercilessly killed so many millions.  On the contrary, it honours their spirit and mourns their loss.

War is such a cruel mistress but in the end, only the greater good prevails. Sacrifices have been made, tears have been shed, blood has been spilt and lives have been lost but the troops that have left us along the way have brought a whole new safer and better world for us to live in and the troops nowadays continue doing so.

“If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders fields.”

Red poppies have grown through land ravaged by war and will most probably survive the ordeal of contemporary critics.

 

NO

Nathan Khadaroo

Poppies are spreading faster than the rumour of a flu and I’m not happy about it at all. Why? Because I believe war is the absolute worst thing that there can be and there is no glory to be found in it.

Almost every war in history has involved countless beautiful young people getting blown/hacked/shot to pieces by other young beautiful people, usually because a small bunch of over-privileged cowards told them it was a glorious, necessary thing to do.

But that’s just the beginning. Soldiers have raped, tortured and murdered civilians in pretty much every single war that has ever happened. The bad guys do it, the ‘good guys’ do it. Whenever we decide to send out our troops into another dubious war for another dubious reason, they will do some pretty inhumane, unthinkable things. And they will be doing them in our name. Conflict is always dirty and when a Government send it’s troops to war, they are tacitly sanctioning all the untold acts and immeasurable misery that will ensue.

But, isn’t this all about remembering the dead? Sadly it is not. This years Royal Legion slogan is “Shoulder to Shoulder with all who serve”. This isn’t about the dead, this is about the armed forces. In every war since WWI civilians have constituted the majority of deaths.

The last major survey in Iraq put the civilian death toll at nearly half a million, a number of death’s I find hard to even conceive. If this was about remembering the dead then maybe they would get a bit more of a mention than the 179 British troops who have died there.

And what of all those who fought genuinely believing that the world would be a freer place for all? What would they think of today, with our troops in deeply unpopular wars all around the globe and the Remembrance Poppy rapidly becoming little more than a fashion symbol?

Next year will see the 100th anniversary of that infamous bloodbath that at the time was naively dubbed the “War to end war”, it will also see the immeasurable suffering of innocents because we never did end war.

We may never forget the dead of the World Wars but we are already forgetting the lessons they would have us remember and that is truly worrying and something we should keep in mind before deciding to send our troops off to die in another pointless war because we, essentially, feel like it.

My Political Hero: Malala Yousafzai

Written by Shanda Moorghen on . Posted in Opinion.

In a world of consumption and egocentric interest, it is difficult to look beyond oneself when making choices in life. Some might not even have to make significant choices until they turn 18 but for some life is different. In early 2009, at the very young age of 12, Malala Yousafzai started writing a blog under a pseudonym for the BBC describing her life under Taliban rule, their attempts to take control of the Swat valley through intimidation, and her views on promoting education for girls. This would change her life and ours with it.

As she became a prominent spokesperson for the equal right of education for girls, she quickly started to attract the attention of Western campaigners and the wrath of the Taliban authorities.

The number of girls in primary schools in the Swat valley is now on the rise – from 86,000 in 2010 to 127,000 this year, according to the local education department. This gradual progress stemmed largely from Yousafzai’s interviews, the Taliban marked her off for reprisal.  On 9 October 2012, a Taliban gunman shot Yousafzai as she rode home on a bus after taking an exam. Asking for her by name, she was hit with one bullet, which went through her head, neck, and ended in her shoulder. She remained in critical condition for several days before being transferred to a hospital in Birmingham, England. The assassination attempt received widespread attention and condemnation.

But, she managed to make a full recovery after a few  surgical interventions. Having processed the shock of being on the verge of death, young Malala did not crumble in fear. She wanted to continue her fight and now that she had the attention of the whole world, she knew it was not time to give in to the Taliban.

Thus started her international journey to promote education and give a message of peace. Yousafzai addressed the UN Youth Assembly on her 16th birthday and called for improvements in global education. “One child, one teacher, one pen and one book can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first,” stated Malala Yousoufzai to rapturous applause from the audience and a subsequent standing ovation from the likes of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown.  The UN has declared her birthday, July 12, as “Malala Day”. Called to various media platforms, she managed to give a poignant and emotional speech each and every time. She was voted by TIME magazine as one of the most influential women in the world and was widely tipped to win the Nobel Peace Prize despite eventually losing to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

At 16, Malala Yousafzai is the voice of a generation, a generation hiding in fear, a generation that has seen countless acts of cruelty and one that wants to grow and learn. Her message of promoting education above and foremost has received wide critical acclaim. The ‘I am Malala’ proposal is a testament to the importance that her words have garnered. Political hero to me and symbol of hope and faith for millions of youngsters, Malala Yousafzai remains one of the most important figures of the last five years and intends to influence many more.

Bambi & Manson – our favourite British designers

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Bambi and Manson are a boyfriend and girlfriend duo… Polly O’Connell (Bambi) and Jim Cubitt (Manson). Polly is a lover of thrift, carboot shopping, pugs, Hollywood glam, trashy Tv, dancing till dawn, romance and dying my hair! Jim’s love of his life (other than Polly of course) is music and he’s also the front man of his band.

They  started in London moved to Berlin- and now are back in the UK for the next chapter in our story! To date they have collaborated with True Religion for Selfridges, been seen in Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Grazia, Glamour, Ok! Magazine and more! Seen on the peaches of the likes of Millie Mackintosh, Alexis Krauss, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Bip Ling, Nina Nesbitt, Alana Haim to name a few!

Bambi and Manson was made with girls like me Polly mind- who likes to have fun with fashion-  The range runs from sizes XS-XL – Every girl should own a pair of BAMS!

Bambi and Manson was born because basically I lived in denim shorts and wanted some pimped ones but couldn’t find any in the UK (that was three years ago- you can’t move for them now, which is why we have to keep pushing our creativity with it to try make sure ours are unique!)– so made my own… started to sell on Ebay – and the response was really good so dragged Jim in to take it to the next level. I had a label when I was a bit younger and said I probably wouldn’t do it again but it kinda just happened and now I can’t stop  –  I’m a bit obsessed tbh!

http://www.bambiandmanson.co.uk/

 

The label is really about us so everything is taken from what myself and Jim love, he’s obsessed with skateboarding (hence his arm’s in a cast atm!!) & music and I’m obsessed with pop culture and pretty things- so we basically mesh the two- I love things to be really pretty with a grungy edge. Jim’s side brings the kinda West coast influence- so it’s like a mix of movies like Dogtown and Z-boys and clueless! Style icons? hmmm for me I’ve always been a bit obsessed with Atlanta de Cadenet’s style- and used to spend hours trawling through blogs of her- she sort of nailed that pretty grunge thing. For Jim- I would guess (he’s in Berlin atm so i‘m answering for him!) ppl like Julian Casablancas of The Strokes or Micheal Jackson (joking!) I’m not sure, Jim does his own thing really but has a really good style – he’s got a good eye at car boots and charity shops for little gems! (one of the many reasons why I love him!)

Some of our personal highlights from the B&M journey so far have been things like- the exclusive range for True Religion in Selfridges was awesome- I love it when we can have an excuse to get all our friends together to celebrate cos they kinda have to come, so thats part of my drive – achieve more so I can see all my friends together!- I also love making shorts for Alexis Krauss- she’s SUCH a babe- her and Derek are awesome and sorted us out backstage festival tickets for Primavera – they are brilliant so becoming friends with her was a highlight as she’s so humble and appreciative even though she’s so super talented- she’s deffo an inspiration! You know, anytime we get a feature in one of the UK fashion mags – it’s really exciting- I’ve grown up reading them so it makes my week when we’re featured in one- there’s loads of highlights really!

We get asked what we think works about the brand…maybe it’s the team- myself and Jim work really well together- he’s really organised and gets shit done- he’s also so creative. I’m much more scatty and procrastinate loads and runway with ideas- so I think maybe we compliment each other- we are also really lucky to have a great IT guy, an amazing business advisor, awesome manufacturers and brilliant seamstresses- (Alex in particular makes my life so much easier) without which we wouldn’t be where we are! I think also we try to be as honest as we can about who we are- and maybe people relate to one or both of us in some way- we’re not some super trendy rich couple- we’re just a couple trying to make something we love doing work!

 

My advice for anyone setting up a label would be work as hard as you possibly can, BE NICE to people, and keep trying to move forward with designing. It can be super amazing at times and then super hard and stressful- hold your nerve!

The celeb girls peaches who have adorned BAMS have done us proud!! Our ultimate BAMGirl would be – Kate moss. But not sure I can see her in pimped denims!

If we could collaborate with any other brand it would probably Wildfox as they are a huge inspiration! And our mates over at Terrible movement- they have an awesome t-shirt brand repped by the likes of Queen Cara Delevigne – they are a supercool couple currently based in Berlin and fully guilt  and sweatshop free- so no overworked underpaid children involved whatsover! so who knows perhaps a collab will be on the cards! They are deffo worth checking out!

The future for BAM? I mean I’d love it to just keep growing- and getting better- we are moving onto new products for Spring Summer next year which is really exciting, we’ve got cute dresses, two pieces, sweaters and jackets coming- so we’re working really hard on that right now- who knows what will happen- just enjoying the ride!!

See for yourself at:

http://www.bambiandmanson.co.uk/

http://www.bambiandmanson.co.uk/ 

Men’s makeup: eMANcipation?

Written by Anna Sopel on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

On November 15th 1994 a man called Mark Simpson started a small, perfectly groomed revolution. He was the first person to write in print about the ‘meterosexual man’. Fast forward nearly 20 years and the meterosexual man is everywhere. For those of you who have no idea what I am on about (where have you been?) let me provide a definition for you, the meterosexual man “is especially meticulous about his grooming and appearance, typically spending a significant amount of time and money on shopping”. The poster boy for this revolution was undoubtedly David Beckham, possibly the most beautiful man who ever played the beautiful game. He was straight and yet unashamedly wore a sarong, a head scarf, painted his nails and changed his hairstyle as often as he changed his football boots. On an everyday level, you wouldn’t think twice about a man wearing gel in his hair, or lusting after a perfectly tailored suit, or even carrying a manbag. And yet, why is society so shocked, even opposed, to the idea of men wearing make up?

Instagram: @hrhdhs74

I will be the first to admit that a touch of concealer has saved me on numerous occasions, whether it’s been to help me pretend to my lecturers that I haven’t been out drinking ‘til 4am or just to cover up an unpleasant looking blemish. Men should have the same opportunity to ‘fake it’ as well as we do, a spot of manscara, guyliner, guylashes, why not?  Surely this is the next step for the 21st century meterosexual man?

Head into your nearest Superdrug or Selfridges and it becomes clear that there is no shortage of male cosmetic products on the market. Only last month did Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs both bring out new make up ranges for men, with the latter proclaiming, “witness my brow and my luscious lips”. Tom Ford also told GQ that “Most straight actors I know get quite used to it. Even when they go out in real life they grab some sort of bronzer and they throw it on”. Although this may be a progressive step towards blurring the lines (…in the words of another controversial Metero man) of gendered fashion, most of the guys I spoke to said they had no desire or patience for “luscious lips”, but said they had no problem with guys who did. However sales of men’s make up would paint a similar picture. It would appear most men aren’t (yet) so made up about the idea of male make up.