Rachel Arthur

QUOTED: Where did all the fashion editors go?

2011-07-06T20:00:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: AOL's MyDaily / Huffington Post UK, July 6, 2011

I was quoted in reference to fashion editors moving into the realm of online retail. It reads:

Fashion editors are uniquely placed to shift goods in a retail world where conversation and engagement trump the hard sell, agrees WGSN's marketing and digital editor Rachel Arthur. "Journalists have always been instrumental in selling the best products to consumers, but they've never had the capacity to gain from it in any real sense" she explains.

See the piece here: MyDaily.co.uk, or click on the screengrab below...

London Fashion Week: Young designers must embrace technology or risk shutting the door

2011-02-21T23:00:00.003Z

PUBLISHED: The Daily Telegraph , February 21, 2011

London Fashion Week's young designers must use the power of technology to promote themselves, rather than taking a leaf out of Tom Ford's book and shutting the door completely...

See the piece here: The Daily Telegraph, or click on the screengrab below...

The catwalk connection

2011-01-05T12:15:00.006Z

PUBLISHED: Lingerie Buyer, January 2011

The collaboration between Jean Paul Gaultier and La Perla is a high profile example of the way in which fashion and lingerie interact and influence each other...

Location, location, location

2010-12-01T19:53:00.003Z

PUBLISHED: Viewpoint, issue 27, December 2010

The property buyer's mantra is set to become social media's new spin for consumers and brands alike...

QUOTED: Going, going, gone... Mayhem at H&M for Lanvin

2010-11-23T18:22:00.007Z

PUBLISHED: AOL's MyDaily, November 23, 2010

I was quoted in reference to the launch of the Lanvin for H&M collection. It reads:

MyDaily's eyewitness on the ground at London's Oxford Circus flagship reports that queues are snaking right around the store, taking an hour to get to the goods. Meanwhile online shoppers have descended onto the H&M shopping site, and our numerous attempts to get onto it have resulted in a crash (probably not a bad thing for our wallets). But sharp elbows, technical glitches and lengthy queues haven't dampened the mood.

"It's utter chaos" fashion journalist and shopping aficionado Rachel Arthur told us, "but there's such a fantastic atmosphere – you've got a 10 minute slot to shop, kind of like Supermarket Sweep."

My images of shoppers at the event (including myself) were also used.

See the piece here: MyDaily.co.uk, or click on the screengrab below...

Ralph Lauren unveils 4-D digital masterpiece

2010-11-11T23:32:00.005Z

PUBLISHED: WGSN blog, November 11, 2010

Ralph Lauren promised a 4-D spectacle, a sensory experience and the “ultimate collision of fashion, art and technology” to celebrate its 10 years of digital innovation in the US and the launch of its new e-commerce site in the UK, and boy did it deliver...

Read more...

Londres de fiesta

2010-10-03T21:29:00.006+01:00

PUBLISHED: Mujer, October 3, 2010

This feature for Chilean title Mujer, the weekly magazine supplement to newspaper La Tercera, is a diary-style piece about the shows and events of London Fashion Week (spring/summer 2011 - September 2010).

See it here: Mujer.latercera.com, or click on the jpgs below...

QUOTED: Prophetik documentary

2010-09-28T14:09:00.005+01:00

Having been interviewed at eco-label Prophetik's autumn/winter 2010/11 show at London Fashion Week, I am briefly featured in the trailer for a documentary about the brand. Also on film are the likes of Hollywood director and producer James Cameron and his wife Suzy, designer Jimmy Choo and Telegraph fashion director Hilary Alexander.

Produced by Lani Netter, further filming is still underway with the objective of making a feature-length documentary or a documentary in series for American television.

QUOTED: Fashion blogger Fifi Lapin's online guide to LFW

2010-09-15T22:59:00.007+01:00

PUBLISHED: Stylist Magazine, September 15, 2010

My twitter feed, @rachel_arthur, was highlighted in Stylist Magazine's round-up of digital must-reads ahead of London Fashion Week. It reads:

Get insider alerts on hot prints and hemlines from Arthur, associate editor at trend forecasters WGSN

La reina del accesorio inglés

2010-04-18T21:48:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: Mujer, April 18, 2010

I interviewed Katie Hillier, accessory designer of the year at the 2009 British Fashion Awards for Chilean title Mujer, the weekly magazine supplement to newspaper La Tercera.

See the piece here: Mujer.latercera.com, or click on the jpgs below...

We love: bloggers

2010-03-03T16:37:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, March 2010

At last season's Milan Fashion Week, Dolce & Gabbana invited a handful of leading fashion bloggers to sit in the front row of their womenswear shows alongside the industry's most respected print editors...

Classical revival

2010-03-01T15:45:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, March 2010

Dress-down Fridays are out, shirts and ties are back in - this seems to be the trend in the workplace as individuals move towards a more professional appearance in the face of job uncertainty and financial struggle. Rachel Arthur reports

Rachel Arthur interviews Charlie le Mindu

2010-01-27T16:26:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Schön!, January 2010

Neither a fashion designer nor strictly speaking just a hairdresser, Charlie le Mindu is breaking the catwalk rules in London with his outlandish "Haute Coiffure" creations. Rachel Arthur finds out all...

Creating the right impression

2010-01-04T15:29:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, January 2010

There are few places where the saying 'first impressions count' means more than in the hotel industry. As soon as you walk through the door you make a judgment about the quality of the place based purely on what it looks like, and that includes the staff, says Rachel Arthur

We love: charitable fashion

2009-12-09T16:30:00.003Z

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, December 2009

We all know that the fashion industry provides a powerful social commentary, but you may not have realised just how many worthy causes the industry is linked to...

Burberry's back

2009-11-01T18:46:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, November 2009

Rachel Arthur reports from London Fashion Week on the launch of Burberry’s new designs and its successful reinvention as a luxury brand, an exercise in rebranding that should be an inspiration for any company

QUOTED: The New Must-Have Accessory

2009-10-31T18:22:00.007Z

PUBLISHED: The Wall Street Journal, October 31, 2009

I was quoted talking about the iPhone apps of fashion brands in The Wall Street Journal. It reads:

"What's interesting is that [the apps] force the designers to make a decision about whether they're doing it purely to sell product or trying to get people really involved with the brand," adds Rachel Arthur, an assistant style and media editor for WGSN...

See the piece here: WSJ.com, or click on the screengrab below...

New Twitter search deals with Google and Microsoft prove importance of social media for brands

2009-10-23T23:43:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: WGSN blog, October 23, 2009

The blogosphere has gone crazy this week following announcements made at the Web 2.0 conference in San Francisco that Twitter has signed deals with both Google and Microsoft’s Bing to offer real-time search functionality... read more...

Wang’s future looks bright

2009-10-14T23:47:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: WGSN blog, October 14, 2009

It seems we all have something to learn from Alexander Wang, New York’s fastest rising star. The 25-year-old was at Selfridges in London last night being interviewed by Colin McDowell about his ascent from Marc Jacobs intern (before he even started at Parsons no less) to CFDA Emerging Designer of the Year in just seven years... read more...

Las fashionistas top de Londres

2009-10-11T11:29:00.003+01:00

PUBLISHED: Mujer, October 11, 2009

This commission by Chilean title Mujer, the weekly magazine supplement to newspaper La Tercera, focuses on five of the current "it girls" at London Fashion Week.

See the piece here: Mujer.latercera.com, or click on the jpgs below...

We love: vampires

2009-10-04T12:06:00.000+01:00

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, October 2009

Edward Cullen. Bella Swan. Jacob Black. Three ficitional characters who, thanks to Stephenie Meyer, have become household names around the world, including, it seems, in some of the leading fashion studios...

McQueen confirms live catwalk show with SHOWstudio

2009-09-25T23:59:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: WGSN blog, September 25, 2009

Continuing with the theme for live streamed shows, more news has arrived on Alexander McQueen’s collaboration with SHOWstudio (under the direction of Nick Knight) on October 6... read more...

Colombia Moda

2009-09-21T13:24:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: Schön!, September 2009

With summer comes travel, so last month I went to Colombia Moda in Medellín for Colombia's version of fashion week

QUOTED: Renace el estilo inglés

2009-09-20T14:09:00.003+01:00

PUBLISHED: Mujer, September 20, 2009

I was quoted speaking about London Fashion Week in Chilean title Mujer. It reads:

Rachel Arthur, editora asistente de WGSN (la consultora de moda internacional más importante del mundo) en su sede de la capital inglesa, explica que en las calles del Reino Unido todo vale, pero lo que prima es un look algo grunge, que combina influencias de la música indie (independiente) con guiños a los viejos tiempos del rock & roll y el punk.

Este look se define por pantalones pitillo, camisas escocesas, botas grandes ymaquillaje difuminado. Es una propuesta que lleva cierto tiempo ya y fue impuesta por Kate Moss (“todo lo que ella se pone, el resto lo quiere usar; es el ícono del estilo inglés”, dice Rachel Arthur) y por Topshop, marca que tiene una influencia poderosa.

También están, por supuesto, los modistos más avant garde, que representan otra cara del Brit Style actual, compuesta por ropa súper creativa, pero muchas veces imponible. “Esta ciudad posee las mejores escuelas de diseño y eso produce un pool anual de creadores que luego son las estrellas de la moda internacional”, concluye Rachel. “Finalmente, todo esto tiene que ver con el talento crudo. Es en Londres donde puedes tener la garantía de que verás algo que te sorprenda. Aquí todos vienen a saber quién será el próximo diseñador top. Porque en esta ciudad nadie tiene miedo de experimentar”.

QUOTED: A-Z Cardiff Shopping Guide

2009-09-12T08:17:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: CardiffShopper.com, September 12, 2009

An A-Z guide I wrote to shopping in Cardiff back in 2007 was picked up from this blog and referenced by CardiffShopper.com. It reads:

Check out this great article entitled A-Z Cardiff Shopping Guide, written by freelance fashion writer Rachel Arthur.

Rachel, who also works as an Assistant Style & Media Editor at leading online fashion resource WGSN.com, has written for titles such as InStyle.co.uk, Company Clothing and BBC Wales.

In the A-Z Cardiff Shopping Guide, which was written in March 2007, Rachel runs through the entire alphabet providing essential information on best places to shop, fashion advice and things to do when shopping in Cardiff.

See the piece here: www.cardiffshopper.com

Slick lines

2009-09-01T13:30:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, September 2009

Rachel Arthur looks at another fashion house turning its talents to uniforms for one of London’s top restaurants and celebrity haunts

Donna Karan iPhone App

2009-08-12T11:08:00.000+01:00

PUBLISHED: InStyle.co.uk, August 12, 2009

Donna Karan herself is just a finger tap away as the fashion brand launches an iPhone app putting you in touch with the designer

We love: space age

2009-08-04T13:24:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, August 2009

Designers have been going all out for a cosmic vibe over the past couple of seasons...

Bright young minds

2009-08-04T13:14:00.004+01:00

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, August 2009

Famed for its young creatives, London has always been the city for discovering untapped talent. While Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Stella McCartney may have disappeared to Paris, there remains a wealth of others working their fingers to the bone, trying to step into their shoes.
I trekked round some of the showrooms in the Big Smoke to uncover just who we should be looking out for next...

Banking on image

2009-07-01T13:33:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, July/August 2009

The country might be in the grip of a financial crisis, but that does not mean that financial sector workers can afford to be shabbily dressed. On the contrary, says Rachel Arthur. Now is the time for the banks to make sure they shine in the customer service department, and that includes looking the part

Maria Sharapova models at Liberty

2009-06-18T12:36:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: InStyle.co.uk, June 18, 2009

Wimbledon's approaching and Maria Sharapova gave tennis a fashion twist as she took to the window of London department store Liberty

M&S goes back in time

2009-06-04T15:00:00.005+01:00

PUBLISHED: InStyle.co.uk, June 4, 2009

Twiggy unveils Marks & Spencer exhibition featuring items from the retailer's extensive archive

Four boots for the price of one

2009-06-04T14:57:00.007+01:00

PUBLISHED: InStyle.co.uk, June 4, 2009

We're already drooling over Louis Vuitton's fabulously versatile pre-fall boots

We love: sports luxe

2009-06-03T15:11:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, June 2009

When your hear the word 'sport', do you automatically think about soccer? Or rugby? Maybe sweaty trainers and tight running pants? Now what if we were to throw the phrase 'high fashion' in there?

Chanel cruises into Venice

2009-05-15T17:31:00.015+01:00

PUBLISHED: InStyle.co.uk, May 15, 2009

It's not just about London, Paris, New York and Milan. Last night Venice played host to Karl Lagerfeld's ultra-glamorous Chanel Cruise show

Subtle influences

2009-05-02T00:15:00.000+01:00

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, May 2009

Rachel Arthur reports on the catwalk collection inspired by the 'uniforms' of everyday roles

We love: Twitter

2009-04-02T16:08:00.000+01:00

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, April 2009

Don't tell me you don't know what it is? Where have you been... www.twitter.com, check it out...

Autumn/winter 2009/10

2009-04-01T12:10:00.000+01:00

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, April 2009

Rachel Arthur reports from London Fashion Week on the trends and styles gracing the catwalks

We love: denim

2009-02-03T19:12:00.003Z

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, February 2009

One word: double. Yep, flee though you may, this season denim is so big you can actually team it with, well, more denim...

Stuck on you

2009-02-01T11:57:00.003Z

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, February 2009

Rachel Arthur investigates the myriad of ways companies can brand garments, and looks to the future where digital technology is already making its mark

London's Calling

2008-12-05T16:55:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Chew magazine, December 2008

Imagine the scene: it's the year 2222, centuries into the future, Vogue doesn't exist, neither does Armani. London is war-torn as an army of fashion creatives moved forward to make a new mark on the world. 'The Next Generation' if you will, the breed of unknown talent set for the future, the ones to watch for in years to come

Catwalk inspiration

2008-10-04T21:02:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, October 2008

Rachel Arthur reports from London Fashion Week on styles that could cross over into corporatewear

The need for a critical system

2008-09-02T00:36:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, September 2008

Despite increasingly complex supply chains and ever more demanding customers, many companies are still relying on outdated management systems. But the technology exists that can streamline processes and reduce costs. Rachel Arthur looks at Critical Path Management and its many benefits

Autumn catwalk trends

2008-09-01T23:42:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Autumn Collection 2008

Gothic blacks, rustic checks, vintage florals – this season there are so many contrasts, you really can’t get it wrong. Rachel Arthur gives us the fashion week lowdown for autumn/winter 08/09

The little touches

2008-07-02T00:39:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: Company Clothing, July/August 2008

A professional look really is the sum of its parts and the right scarf, tie or badge can make or break an entire outfit. Fashion writer Rachel Arthur spoke to those in the know about creating the perfect look

Spring catwalk trends

2008-03-01T22:30:00.006Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Spring Collection 2008

Ladies, this spring fashion loves you. The influx of flattering safari tailoring, glorious jewel colours, and bold prints means there’s something to suit every curve womankind has to offer. Rachel Arthur reports from the fashion front line...

Wacky wedding ideas

2008-01-01T01:15:00.000Z

PUBLISHED: Tiara, Spring Collection 2008

Do you always hear of wacky wedding ideas, but think they’re best left to someone else, or the sort of thing you only see on TV? Well, why not be brave, says Rachel Arthur? You don’t have to go crazy, just try something a little original to help make your day more memorable than ever. We spoke to some of the hottest wedding planners around to bring you 20 innovative ideas...

Brides on film

2008-01-01T00:21:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Tiara, Spring Collection 2008

As rumours fly that Carrie and Big are set to tie the knot in 2008’s long-awaited Sex and the City: The Movie, onscreen weddings are truly back on our must-watch radar, says Rachel Arthur

A dress to impress

2007-12-01T23:30:00.000Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Winter Collection 2007

Rachel Arthur investigates the allure of a truly fabulous dress

Top of the crops

2007-12-01T23:00:00.000Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Winter Collection 2007

Platinum crops are cool again says Rachel Arthur...

Purple reign

2007-12-01T20:39:00.005Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Winter Collection 2007

Rachel Arthur ponders the purple phenomenon...

AcroYoga

2007-12-01T20:30:00.000Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Winter Collection 2007

The latest craze to come out of California sees the possibility for exercise-lovers of all ages to take on a more sprightly edge – Rachel Arthur gets to grips with the latest yoga craze to hit the UK

Some day my prince will come

2007-10-01T18:47:00.003+01:00

PUBLISHED: Tiara, Winter Collection 2007

There’s an inner princess in every bride says Rachel Arthur...

What is luxury?

2007-09-20T13:16:00.003+01:00

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Autumn Collection 2007

The levels of luxury available to those with the money to afford it is reaching unprecedented new heights. Rachel Arthur investigates the new global luxury phenomenon...

What to wear now

2007-09-20T13:14:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Autumn Collection 2007

Rachel Arthur identifies the latest trends, the must-buy pieces and gives us the essential rundown on what to wear now...

The history of the bikini

2007-07-01T00:28:00.003+01:00

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Summer Collection 2007

Rachel Arthur investigates how the itsy-bitsy bikini conquered the world...

GFW 2007

2007-06-08T00:27:00.001+01:00

COURSE ASSIGNMENT

Showcasing some of the hottest young designers around, Graduate Fashion Week (GFW) provides an awe-inspiring insight into the future of the fashion industry. And with Victoria Beckham on hand to judge the awards, this year’s event was a star-studded affair.

Joined by Glenda Bailey, editor of American Harper's Bazaar, Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin, and Richard Bradbury, managing director of River Island, Victoria was the guest of honour as the week culminated in Wednesday night’s glossy gala show.

Retailer River Island was once again the headline sponsor, offering up the highly-coveted Gold Award for the third year in a row.

Essentially carrying the title of “Best Student of the Year”, this award is a huge boost to any young designer’s career, with past winners including Christopher Bailey, now design director of Burberry, and Alexander McQueen.

But with some 1,000 students at the Battersea Park Arena event, London – each of them exhibiting outstanding collections, collectively united by enthusiasm, ambition and undeniable talent – picking out the best is always a tough decision to make.

“The best thing about GFW is the mixture you get,” says Joyce Thornton, editor of Generation Now on trade title WGSN. “Some collections are very commercial, some focus on street-wear, others are more off the wall, but what’s truly wonderful is the wealth of talent that exists. They all have a place somewhere in fashion because fashion is so diverse – it’s incredibly hard to select only one.”

And so the judges didn’t. This year, two graduates were the lucky winners of the £20,000 award (£10,000 each), a record in GFW’s 16 year history.

Nicholas Thomas, from the University of the West of England, Bristol, was one of them. His menswear range made up of polka dot and striped knitwear, placed over tweed trousers and black wellington boots, went by the name of “British Eccentricity”, and caught the judges’ attention immediately.

“When they read out my name, I was in complete shock,” he says. “The standard of everyone’s work was amazing so I thought there must have been some mistake, I was completely bewildered.

“I enjoyed creating this collection so much, winning is an added bonus. I never thought I could be a big name, I just wanted to be successful, but maybe I can consider that now; perhaps I am capable after all.”

Nicholas was joined on stage by Jasper Sincha Chadprajong from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, whose menswear collection was modelled by women as well.

“The interview panel encouraged me to consider using female models, and it worked really well,” he says.

The youth-inspired range comprised of blue gingham-print jackets and shirts, with matching blue shorts and mackintosh material capes, was certainly eye-catching as it sashayed down the catwalk, sporting an androgynous feel.

“It’s so incredible to win this award,” Jasper says. “I want to do an MA at the Royal College of Art next year and now this will help me fund it.”

Victoria Beckham was said to be overwhelmed by the talent and creativity at the event, gracefully presenting both the winners with their prestigious prize.

“She was so sweet and genuinely interested in my designs. She even said she could see David in some of my stuff, which was incredibly flattering,” says Nicholas.

While being handed the award by Victoria thoroughly increased his enjoyment of the evening, his thoughts have now turned to the future – perhaps in Nicholas Thomas and Jasper Sincha Chadprajong we have our future Bailey and McQueen, undoubtedly they are ones to watch.

See pictures and reports of all the graduate shows at www.gfwlive.com.

Q&A Boxout

The River Island Gold Award gives an incredible boost to any young designer’s career. One year on, we catch up with last year’s winner James Lawrence…

What did it feel like to win the award?
“It was completely overwhelming. I was just so pleased that something I love doing was praised by important people in the industry. Of course, the cash bonus was a big plus, but it also opened a lot of doors for me, I could make choices that I couldn’t before, like studying for an MA, or going travelling.”

How has it impacted your life?
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for winning the award. I received an email from the Design Director at Closed, a luxury sportswear brand in Hamburg, the following day saying they were looking for a new menswear designer, and I’ve now been here for 10 months.”

Are you enjoying your role?
“It’s really going great. I’m on a small team so I am involved in most product groups but I concentrate on Outerwear and Wovens. I get to work with design consultants from around the world and see my designs go from sketches right through to samples, I still feel like I’m learning every day.”

Where do you see your future?
I would like to stay working for big brands and learn as much as I possibly can. I still want to become the best I can be, and having the prestigious award on my CV will hopefully put me a step ahead for future employers. I guess the ultimate aim is to have my own label.

Interview: Elizabeth Bryan Book Review: Singing the Life

2007-06-06T00:27:00.001+01:00

COURSE ASSIGNMENT

She looks younger than her 65 years. The short blonde hair and youthful skin she possesses are deceptive, her slim frame and pleasant smile reflective of her childhood self. She wears cream chinos and a striped cotton top, neatly covered with a khaki knit cardigan. Her delicate green earrings match a handcrafted bead necklace, framing her face and setting off the colour in her eyes.

You would never know she has been in remission for pancreatic cancer for little over a year, her folded arms the only giveaway to a slightly guarded, perhaps insecure, appearance. There is certainly no clue that this elegant woman before me has lived in the shadow of this dreadful disease for years. Not only is Dr Elizabeth Bryan a cancer patient herself, but a sister, daughter and wife to it as well.

In Singing the Life she shares her memoirs, recounting the moving experiences of her family and their genetic predisposition to cancer. A heart-rending tale of life, death, love and family, Elizabeth courageously discusses how inheritance of a cancer gene (BRCA1) resulted in both her and her two sisters being diagnosed.

Having experienced the disease from every angle imaginable, her story is an inspirational one.

The eldest of three girls, Elizabeth describes herself as bossy, anxious and over-conscientious. By the age of six she knew she wanted to be a doctor, a film on children suffering in Africa, cementing her desire to work in paediatrics.

Her subsequent career saw her as a leading expert in twins and multiple births, and took her all over the globe. But despite a life full of love for children, Elizabeth was never able to conceive herself. “It gave me a profound sadness. There was a greater disappointment in not being able to have children than in getting cancer,” she says.

When the time came for Elizabeth (aged 50) to take preventative measures against developing cancer from the BRCA1 gene she carried, having her ovaries removed was consequently a poignant move, and one that was only further heightened by the fact that her youngest sister, Bernadette, died from ovarian cancer in 1991, leaving behind two young children.

The resulting decade for the family was an increasingly difficult one. Elizabeth’s husband, Ronald, found a lump in his groin in 1998, whereby surgery followed; in 2000 her other sister, Felicity, developed recurring breast cancer; in October 2004 their father died from prostate cancer; and just one month later Felicity’s daughter, who suffered from bipolar disorder (manic depression), took her own life.

With so much pain and bereavement in the family, it is phenomenal to learn that Elizabeth remains an optimist, looking back at her entire life with an unbelievable lack of remorse, pulling out the positive aspects of such experiences. “As teenagers my sisters and I were very different, but when Bernadette got cancer, we all rallied round. We spent huge amounts of time together in the last months of her life, and again when my father was ill,” she explains.

By the time it came to her own cancer two years ago, Elizabeth’s response was not one of shock, despite having had her ovaries, womb and breasts removed as preventative measures. Accordingly, as she writes in the book, “I was quite interested in my reaction to this diagnosis. It was not fear or anger. The main one was of disappointment, profound disappointment.”

Elizabeth speaks of her parents – a politician father, and a physiotherapy-trained, but stay at home mother – as “peace lovers”, where conflict was strongly discouraged. Consequently, anger at her prognosis and at her sisters’ ordeals, was not the resulting sentiment.

“I didn’t see myself as a victim,” she says. “Cancer brought a weariness really, I tried so hard, for so long, not to get it.”

This book is perhaps her expression of emotion instead. “It was an opportunity to share my experiences, to feel I can be of use,” she says. With a medical career behind her, a journalist for a husband, a literary agent for a sister and a Grandfather who was a writer and a poet, writing was the natural response.

A tale of tragedy on the one hand, yet above all a portrayal of grace, strength and solidarity, the result is inspiring. As Elizabeth’s close friend and advisor to the book, Julia Gregson, says, “Elizabeth is a very remarkable person. It was a gruelling year, but this book just burst out of her.”

To this day, Elizabeth maintains she has lived a privileged life and there are always worse-off people in the world. Despite the fact that she doesn’t expect to see next spring, she is happy in her home near Hereford looking over the Black Mountains, and considers her cancer an “enriching experience”.

In essence she doesn’t believe she can prevent it. “I don’t think anxieties, exercise or what I eat will really make a difference to whether my cancer comes back. People say I should be taking it easy, but if I only have a little time left, I want to make the most of it.”

Always the optimist she closes with, “We have all learnt the hard way that every day and every happy memory are to be treasured.”

Singing the Life by Dr Elizabeth Bryan is on sale from August 2, 2007. Price: £12.99

Little White Dress

2007-06-03T14:07:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: WGSN Daily News (Graduate Fashion Week newspaper) 03.06.07

Ming Lei Liu from De Montfort University is the winner of the Graduate Fashion Week competition to design a Little White Dress for River Island

Josie Beckett Biography

2007-05-08T02:29:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: BBC Wales, May 2007

When friends started asking where she got her homemade skirts from, she knew she was on to something. By Rachel Arthur

Josie Beckett was born on June 22, 1982 in Derbyshire. Half Welsh, she spent much of her youth in Carmarthen before heading to Cardiff University to study Journalism in 2000. She was always interested in creating her own fashion, frustrated by the high street making it hard for people to be unique in any way.

"I could never find any cool, one-off stuff, and I loved looking a bit different, so I started making things for myself," she explains.

It was when friends started asking where she got her homemade skirts from that she realised her items might actually sell if she made a few more of them. As a result, she teamed up with a friend straight out of university, and did exactly that.

"We waitressed part-time and sewed on our days off, we were entirely self-taught" she says.

Before long the BowHo brand was born, and after lugging endless bags to markets and shops, several stockists were established.

Josie's clothes are inspired by classic films and characters, as well as military elements such as badges, ribbons, buttons and medals.

"I love the big designers and look to all the shows, but I'm not sure if I follow them," she says. "I just love making one-off things where every garment takes on a life of its own," she adds.

She is also influenced by the style of Japanese Harajuku girls, and would love to see her clothes on Paris Hilton or Gwen Stefani.

In 2006 she was selected for London Fashion Forum's Profile show, helping her to build up contacts and gain insight into the fashion world, which, until then, she still had very little experience in.

It was after this, when she was selling at Spitalfields market in London, that she was scouted by Topshop and offered a rail in their Oxford Circus flagship.

March 2007 saw the launch; with her renamed Whereareyounow? brand instantly proving a success. "It's a great opportunity for a small label like me to get known," says Josie.

In the future she is hoping to continue along the same lines, expanding the business as much as possible with an ultimate goal of reaching an international market.

Elinor Franklin Biography

2007-05-08T02:27:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: BBC Wales, May 2007

Her passion for making her own clothes led her away from a career in law, to one in fashion. By Rachel Arthur

Elinor Franklin from Swansea was born on February 17, 1974. She never used to have any burning ambition to be a fashion designer when she was younger, instead concentrating on contemporary dance and then law at university.

But she did always make her own clothes, a passion that her Dad picked up on and convinced her to pursue after she quit the first year of her law degree.

Elinor headed to Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art (now West Wales School of the Arts) in 1993 to study fashion marketing, and in so doing found her calling.

"Fashion only used to be an interest of mine really," says Elinor. "But my Dad suggested I followed it, and I just loved it straight away."

On graduation in 1996 Elinor won the Young Welsh Designer of the Year award and soon headed to London where she gained work experience with Betty Jackson and then employment designing for a high street supplier.

Four years on and she was ready for a change again, so she took time off and travelled in India, inspirational elements of which can still be seen in her designs today.

Elinor knew on return that she wanted to launch her own business. With her head screwed on she spent four months researching her target market, what they wanted and what would sell, even setting up a stall in Portabello Market, London, to test her concept out.

Elinor's role models include Matthew Williamson and Karen Millen. "I'm inspired by the fact that Matthew Williamson's business is all run in-house, he's accomplished so much," she explains. "And Karen Millen is so business aware, so successful, I can't help but feel drawn to her."

Following in their footsteps, Elinor launched her own brand in 2002, and her glamorous occasion-wear quickly proved a success with many different people.

"Most of my customers are 25 plus, mainly in their 30s, but they can be as young as 16, and sometimes mother-of-the-brides in their 60s," she says.

Elinor's focus within her design is flattering the female form. Reflective of role mode Williamson as well as the likes of Alice Temperley, her clothes are detailed, embellished and intricate. She uses a lot of silk and natural fabrics for their luxurious appeal, creating garments that people can treasure for years.

She used to stock stores in Wales, London and Bristol, but decided to quieten things down when she gave birth to her son in 2005. Nowadays six boutiques in Wales house her collection, and she hopes to expand again soon.

Elinor also teaches at Swansea Institute of Higher Education helping students with prints, pattern cutting and any fashion related work.

Design is undoubtedly where her heart remains nonetheless, "My best memory is the first time I sold into a store. It was so exciting," she explains. "And it's still so nice when you see people wearing something that is yours."

Lezley George Biography

2007-05-08T02:26:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: BBC Wales, May 2007

International fashion designer who has dressed celebrities including Diana Ross, Oprah Winfrey and Sharon Stone. By Rachel Arthur

International fashion designer Lezley George was born on January 14, 1965 in Cardiff. Her love of clothes has existed since childhood where she was surrounded by homemade garments, sewing machines and knitting needles.

"I just migrated towards it," she says. "I loved creating my own image; I even used to make clothes for my dolls."

She went on to study fashion design and marketing at The University of East London, before establishing her own label in 1988.

"I had this crazy notion that I wanted my own business, and I just loved the thought of a challenge. So I decided to give it a try for three years and then give up if it didn't work," she says.

Fortunately she found her feet, and in 1991 got extra support from the Welsh Development Agency to help her on her way.

"The timing was just right. Everything was going well, but I didn't have the money to get the exposure I needed, so it was a tremendous boost," she explains.

She proceeded to show at London Fashion Week for a few seasons, before firmly establishing herself at Paris Fashion Week from 1992. In 1995 she won the Welsh Designer of the Year Award, and now receives invitations to show her collections all over the world.

Inspired by Japanese designers such as Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake, Lezley's garments are highly innovative, concentrating specifically on fabric development.

"This approach to design really excites me, and Japanese designers were the pioneers," she explains. "It's so labour intensive; a craft skill mixed with cutting-edge technology. I just love taking organic textures and working them onto the female silhouette, that's my philosophy."

While manipulating material in this way is always Lezley's starting point for a new collection, she also takes inspiration from many other sources.

"I travel a great deal, so I learn a lot from other cultures, and that influences my designs. Sometimes it'll be something in a painting that inspires me or maybe a historic reference; whatever, it'll always be a combination of different things."

Nowadays she supplies to about 20 countries around the world, with a customer base spanning 25 to 92 year olds. "We have such diverse customers; all different shapes and sizes, ages and lifestyles, which is really nice," she says.

Some women go to her to find an outfit for a special occasion, a wedding or another function, while many choose items to take travelling, or to mix and match with their work wardrobes.

Along the way she has dressed celebrities such as Diana Ross, Oprah Winfrey and Sharon Stone, and in 2007 she did a special photo-shoot with Academy Award winner Helen Mirren.

In the future Lezley is hoping to develop an accessories line, a homeware collection and a range for the larger lady. Until then, she continues to jet set it from one catwalk to the next, producing collections every season that women the world over want to buy.

Helen Rhiannon Biography

2007-05-08T02:24:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: BBC Wales, May 2007

Called upon to create Katherine Jenkins' outfit for the Cool Cymru collection. By Rachel Arthur

Born on July 2, 1981, and bred in Swansea, Helen Rhiannon Gill's favourite subject at school was textiles. Inspired by the creativity of it, she took a foundation course specialising in fashion at Carmarthenshire College in 1995 and then moved to London to study Fashion Design at the University of Westminster in 2000.

Graduating in 2003, highly commended by the British Fashion Council, Helen decided to return to Wales, spending nine months working before deciding to approach a boutique in Port Talbot with her graduate collection.

In August 2004 her self-employed career began. Inspired by Matthew Williamson's use of colour and the unique designs of Hussein Chalayan, Helen's clothes are bright and quirky.

"I take ideas from everything around me," she says. "I like creating things that are a little bit different, and I love to experiment with colour."

The 'Helen Rhiannon' brand, which officially launched in March 2005, reflects her own vibrant personality. It includes garments from funky denimwear to slinky camisoles and even ball gowns.

In 2006 she was approached to create an outfit for Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, to be worn in the Cool Cymru collection being created by photographer Terry Morris. Portraits of 12 celebrities, including Dame Shirley Bassey, Ryan Giggs and Charlotte Church, were made in support of the Noah's Ark Appeal, which raises money for a children's hospital in Wales.

"I designed and made a white dress, and got to go to the photo shoot to fit it to her on the day," explains Helen. "It's one of the nice things I can say I have done. She was an ideal person in my mind, and it's given me real credibility."

Helen now plans to push her label further across Wales, as well as the rest of the UK. She also does a small range of jewellery to accompany her garments, and likes the idea of creating more accessories so that she can offer people an "entire package".

"In the long term, once the brand is more established, I would love to have my own shops," she says.

Ross Jenkins Biography

2007-05-08T02:21:00.001+01:00

PUBLISHED: BBC Wales, May 2007

Winner of both Best Men's Line and Best Traditional Line at the Urban Fashion Awards 2006. By Rachel Arthur

Up and coming menswear designer Ross Jenkins was born on 14 March 1983. From Ystrad Rhondda, he always knew he wanted to pursue a career in fashion, even buying himself a sewing machine as a teenager to teach himself how to make clothes.

"My teachers and parents could see I had talent so I was always supported and encouraged to do it," he says.

After completing a foundation course at Glamorgan Centre for Art and Design, he headed for London to study BA Hons Fashion at the University College for the Creative Arts in Epsom in 2003.

In the summer of his second year Ross gained work experience with both Alexander McQueen and Giles Deacon before spending several months assisting Luella Bartley.

"I got to help make show pieces like sequined vests and t-shirts for her New York fashion show in September 2005, it was such a great experience," Ross explains. "I also learnt a lot about the technical side of the industry, pattern cutting and such like, which was really valuable."

In June 2006 Ross got the chance to get his own work seen when he was selected to show at Graduate Fashion Week.

He says, "My clothes are a lot to do with shape, so I'm very inspired by people like Vivienne Westwood, but I mainly look at stories. It's imagery of people that influences my designs the most."

And his graduate collection does exactly that, referencing survival stories such as those he learned about in the Holocaust exhibition at the Imperial War Museum.

Compared to the likes of John Galliano, Ross's show gained him a nomination for the Gold Award at Graduate Fashion Week, and led to him winning Best Men's Line and Best Traditional Line at the Urban Fashion Awards in November 2006.

In March 2007 Ross added a few new pieces to his graduate collection and put it on the catwalk again, this time for SWATCH Alternative Fashion Week, the event created to help young designers get discovered.

"It was just amazing," he says. "The place was packed out and my show went down really well. I used female models too, which helped my androgynous concept come across much better."

Ross is now looking to get funding and hopes to develop a full-scale collection to show properly in the future. He is also working on a more commercial venture with print-illustration artist Nick Pate, designing contemporary limited edition t-shirts and vest tops.

"I'm just trying to get out there as much as I can, I'm determined to make it big, that's the dream," he says.

Spring/summer 2007 fashion trends round-up

2007-04-30T12:17:00.003+01:00

UNPUBLISHED: April 2007

Welcome in spring with something simple, short and shiny

Dresses are the garment of choice this season, and the easiest item to slip on. Floaty, loose and free, they epitomise feminine chic. Look to Topshop to find them in neutral creams, beiges and greys.

And expect them to be short. Tiny skirts and shorts are everywhere, both taking inspiration from Kate Moss with high-waistbands and button up fronts.

Smock tops lead us nicely out of an overindulgent winter, this time sporting a new folkloric feel. Embroidered detail and large patterns feature at the likes of French Connection, while New Look go prettier with tea dresses in floral prints.

Beyond the neutral palette, an abundance of colour awaits. Ultramarine blue and canary yellow sashayed down the catwalks, and the high street follows suit, look to Oasis, H&M and American Apparel for solid shades.

What’s more, monochrome prints are rife in every pattern imaginable; think of an M&S paisley tunic or a Zara striped t-shirt.

For the evenings turn to something shiny. From Gucci to Pucci, the catwalks were metallic. Avoid the futuristic bubble dresses of Hussein Chalayan or the robotic corsets of Dolce & Gabbana, and think rather of sequined tops, glittering dresses and shimmering handbags instead.

As always, turn to Topshop for stylish versions, look to Primark for cheap ones, and expect ASOS.com to keep us up-to-date with the latest celebrity replicas.

Whatever you choose, team it with an oversized bag, a flower in your hair, another pair of wedges, and you can’t go wrong.

Top 10 London shopping destinations

2007-04-30T02:35:00.003+01:00

UNPUBLISHED: April 2007

London is renowned for its shopping – trendy street stalls, exclusive boutiques, quaint corner shops, you name it, London has it. Fashionistas, shopaholics and bargain hunters alike, unite to trawl through the endless racks of outfits, shoes and accessories available. Yet with 40,000 shops and 80-something market streets to choose from, knowing where to start is somewhat of a task. So here’s our top 10 destination guide to get you going…

1. Oxford Circus
Absolute first port of call for any die-hard shopper has to be Oxford Circus, and perhaps more importantly, Topshop’s flagship store. Four floors of all the latest must-have trends offer customers everything from jeans and jewellery, to a nail bar, coffee shop or personal stylist service. If you can ever drag yourself away, Oxford Street and Regent Street combined, host most of the other high street chains including H&M, Zara, Mango, Karen Millen and French Connection, while Carnaby Street just around the corner, is a pedestrian zone home to urban street clothes and quirky outlets harking back to their sixties hey day.

2. Selfridges
Heralded as the store that put Oxford Street on the map, Selfridges, is another destination not to be missed. Ten acres of shopping space over six floors are filled with spectacular brands from Christian Dior to Coast, while 11 different places to eat offer a retreat to weary shoppers selling delights such as Oysters and Champagne. Selfridges epitomises the theatre of retail, each spring hosting themed events in-store varying from ‘Bollywood’ to ‘Body Craze’, and this year, ‘This is not a Shop’, where architecture, poetry and window displays all showcase the art of surrealism.

3. Bond Street
Bond Street is home to top of the range designers and their magnificently elaborate flagship stores. The definition of expensive retail therapy, this is the place to go for spotting celebrities flashing around their credit cards, and porters piled high with shopping bags. From New Bond Street down to Old Bond Street everyone from Gucci to Alexander McQueen has a place, with five-floor department store Fenwicks sitting close to Oxford Street (just around the corner from Vogue house), and Saville Row, famous for its tailoring, not far away (off Conduit Street).

4. Harrods and Knightsbridge
As far as department stores go, no visit to London would be complete without a trip to Harrods. Open since 1849, this world famous department store now welcomes up to 300,000 visitors a day through its prestigious doors. Stocking the finest quality merchandise from fashion companies all over the world, it encapsulates everything that pure extravagance infers. Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, a trip down adjacent Sloane Street also reveals many designer flagships including Chanel, Prada, Gianni Versace and more. While Harvey Nichols, another inspiring department store positioned on the corner, is also worth a visit.

5. Kings Road
Just off of Sloane Square is the Kings Road, a slightly more affordable shopping option, where designer stores such as Mulberry, are mixed in with mid-level retailers including LK Bennett and Jigsaw. Department store Peter Jones sits near Sloane Square, while the Duke of York Square is worth popping through to for brands like Zara, Joseph and Ted Baker set among a sweet little pedestrian precinct. Kings Road is also home to lots of great interior shops, and it’s enormously long, so wear good shoes, and get walking.

6. The Royal Exchange
If you still haven’t had your fill of luxury fashion by the time you get to number six, it’s time to head to the other side of the city, where opulent brands are available at The Royal Exchange near Bank as well. This elegant and historic building has been an exquisite shopper’s paradise since 1566. Look for accessories from Lulu Guinness and Hermes sitting perfectly next to jewellery designers including Theo Fennell, and diamond retailers like De Beers. Everything is so lavish and over-the-top, it’s worth going to see, even if you can only afford to peer in the window.

7. Spitalfields Market
While you’re over in the East London direction, be sure to make your way to Spitalfields Market near Liverpool Street. Open since 1638, this eclectic location sells everything from ancient vinyls to contemporary arts and crafts, in both permanent shops and changing stands. Friday is the day for the fashion market where fresh new talent is often scouted by brands such as Topshop, giving an insight into the future of the fashion industry. Bobo Vintage, in the Thursday market is also worth a visit where a £5 rummage offers vintage dresses, skirts and some amazing 60s and 70s pieces. If you have the time Spitalfields is so diverse day to day, it’s worth going back more than once.

8. Camden
Attracting more than 150,000 visitors a week, and near on 10 million people a year, Camden Town is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the city. The mile long stretch between Camden and Chalk Farm stations hosts hundreds of shops and endless market stalls supplying absolutely everything you could possible think of. Be sure to head to The Stables, Camden Lock, and Camden Market, where fabulous vintage treasures are high on the list, as are many forms of retro get-up, alternative clothing and funky little knickknacks. Rokit, along the main Camden High Street is one of the best shops to visit, stocking genuine vintage gear as well as clothes from several young designers.

9. Portabello
Over in Notting Hill, Portabello Road is also worth a trip to if you’re after anything vintage. Dating back over 300 years, the infamous market draws crowds from far and wide to the many busy stalls covered in second-hand bargains and fantastic antiques, while the quaint little shops dotted along the way, are also full of goodies true to their timeless edge. Often the haunt of many a celebrity, including Kate Moss and Sienna Miller, it has become internationally renowned, only further increased by appearing in films such as Notting Hill and Bed Knobs and Broomsticks.

10. Covent Garden
If you have any shopping energy left, be sure to expend it in Covent Garden. An exciting mixture of high street retailers, market stalls and trendy boutiques make up the area, combining the latest fashions with all the extras you could wish for. If you’re after shoes, you’re definitely in the right place as Neal Street is full of every brand from Shellys to Terra Plana. This is also a great location for several unique designers to be found hidden among the masses; the likes of store Arrogant Cat on Monmouth Street a perfect example to head to.

A-Z Cardiff Shopping Guide

2007-03-23T11:44:00.001Z

COURSE ASSIGNMENT

Two pairs of jeans, a paisley printed smock top, one blue cardigan, a green dress with a cute bow on the front, a pair of silver sandals and some jewellery from Topshop to match.

Three hours of shopping. Total bill, £250 – oops.

We are a nation of shopaholics. Today more than 750,000 women in Britain admit to going shopping at least once a week, with Cardiff rated the sixth biggest fashion-spending city around the country, according to a report by uSwitch for YouGov this Feburary.

Kate Handley, owner of The Fashion Showcase, a company that hosts catwalk shows twice a year in Cardiff, is not surprised. “Women love to shop, and Cardiff is a fantastic place for it. There are so many great boutiques, and obviously all the right high street stores. It really has potential as a fashion capital.”

With summer coming up, new trends are abundant, and knowing what to buy when you spend your precious pounds is essential.

Whether you’re new to the city, or you’ve lived here forever, this guide introduces you to fashionable shopping in Cardiff, rounding up what to buy, the best places to go and the stores not to miss this season...

A is for Arcades
Cardiff is home to many quaint arcades that date back more than a century. Look to the High Street Arcade, the Royal Arcade and the Castle Arcade, all just off of St Mary Street, for intimate boutiques, alternative products and unique takes on the summer’s hottest trends. Pussy Galore in the Highstreet Arcade is a good example, stocking lovely handcrafted brands such as Bowho and Thomasa.

B is for Bargains
Even though Cardiff is one of the biggest fashion-spending cities in the country, no shopping guide would be complete without mentioning the array of bargain stores available as well. Primark on Queen Street is your first stop for cheap, but catwalk-oriented garments, with four floors dedicated to budget level fashion. Think also of Select, Peacocks (coming soon) and TK Maxx, each also dotted along this main shopping parade.

C is for Canton
A key shopping area away from the city centre, eclectic Canton is home to a fabulous selection of not to miss stores. Hit Cowbridge Road East for charity shops and second hand stores such as British Heart Foundation and MIND or head to Pontcanna Street for designer-led boutique, Poppers, set appropriately among private members bars and exclusive restaurants.

D is for Department Stores
The main two department stores in Cardiff, Debenhams in the St David’s Centre and Howell’s, a House of Fraser store, off St Mary Street, both have fantastic brands available ranging from Rock and Republic Jeans to Betty Barclay dresses.

E is for Embellishment
The key to spot-on summer trends is adding a little décor to everything. Think charms, gems, embroidery and buttons. Buy things like bags with them on already from Accessorize, or why not head to the covered market on St Mary Street, Jules &Gems just off Cowbridge Road East, or Claire Grove in the Castle Arcade to pick up some trinkets and embellish things yourself.

F is for Feminine
Dresses are the garment of choice this season, and the easiest item to slip on. Floaty, loose and free, they epitomise feminine chic. Head to Room 23 in the High Street Arcade for beautiful brands such as Looking Glass, or hit the likes of River Island for some quirkier alternatives.

G is for Gypsy
It may make you think of 2003, but gypsy style has not completely disappeared. Instead it has evolved into what is being called “a new boho look” by fashion’s leading reporters, where smock tops, romantic layers and folkloric patterns reign. Get your tea dresses in New Look, printed pinafores in Miss Selfridge and must-have tunics in Topshop.

H is for High waistbands, high hemlines and high heels
Short skirts, and shorter shorts are two essential items this season. Team them with a pair of sky-high heels and take inspiration from Kate Moss with belly-button level waistlines. The good thing is, you won’t have to look far, they’re everywhere in Cardiff.

I is for Imitation
Emulating celebrity style is an entire way of life these days. Fortunately fashion is fast and getting the looks of Sienna Miller or Mischa Barton is as easy as popping to Topshop, H&M or Zara, shortly followed by Primark. But if you feel a little more luxurious yourself, head to designer stores such as Woodies Emporium (in the Morgan Arcade), Poppers (on Pontcanna Street) or Staging Seduction (off Queen Street) instead.

J is for Julien Macdonald
This Welsh designer from Merthyr Tydfil celebrates his 10 year anniversary this year. Dazzling on the catwalk each season, his spring / summer 2007 collection showcased blue evening gowns, ivory satin slips and superb shiny trousers, but head to Debenhams for access to his mainstream range, Star.

K is for Knitwear
It may be coming up to summer but there’s nothing more fashionable this season than a cute little knitted cardigan. Whether cream, grey, bright yellow or black, Zara is your one-stop-shop for cute little throw ons, perfect for those cooler evenings.

L is for Lily Allen
The latest celebrity to design a capsule collection for a high street store, Lily Allen’s range for New Look, Lily Loves, is due in May. Expect vintage inspired dresses, bright accessories and footwear to match.

M is for metallics
For the evenings turn to something shiny. From Gucci to Pucci, the summer catwalks screamed metallics. Avoid the futuristic bubble dresses of Hussein Chalayan or the robotic corsets of Dolce & Gabbana, and think rather of sequined tops, glittering dresses and shimmering handbags instead. If you’re feeling daring look to Karen Millen for silver cocktail jackets and matching shift dresses or take it lightly with a quirky clutch from Dorothy Perkins.

N is for Nudes / Neutrals
A neutral colour palette is optimum this summer. Think of buying plain and simple pieces to build on, creating a summery blank canvas with vest tops, skirts and shorts. Warehouse is the place to look for creams, beiges and greys.

O is for Oyster
Cardiff’s first ethically dedicated clothing shop brings brands like Chandni Chowk, Howies and Gossypium to local residents. Hidden among a treasure trove of quaint boutiques in the Castle Arcade, it is truly worth a visit.

P is for Patterns and Prints
Black, white and floral are the themes to take note of this season. Monochrome prints are rife in every pattern imaginable; think of an M&S paisley tunic or a Zara striped t-shirt. Then head to Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge for large floral and retro designed patterns.

Q is for Queen Street
Any shopper’s absolute first stop in Cardiff is the pedestrian zone of Queen Street, where all the major retail chains hold fort. Cardiff is such a compact city this one street us rhe base from which finding all the arcades and other shopping malls such as Capitol Shopping, Queens Arcade and St Davids Centre, is simple. To help get your bearings, visit www.cardiffwalesmap.com for a guide to the city.

R is for Roath
Roath is another area well worth the short trip out from the city centre. Similar to Cowbridge Road East in Canton, Albany Road on the other side of the city has a character oozing with individuality only further heightened by the plethora of students buzzing around. If you’re willing to take the time and dig deep, there are treasures to be found. Try Tenovus, Oxfam and Save the Children for starters.

S is for swimwear
For holiday essentials it is best to hit the department stores where different swimwear brands are hosted collectively under one roof. Try the Butterfly by Matthew Williamson range in Debenhams for Pucci style prints in one pieces, two pieces, tankinis, bikinis, cover ups, throw ons and even matching bags.

T is for Topshop
Topshop remains the ultimate high street shop for fashionistas, and the Queen Street branch is no exception, providing a large collection of all the latest styles. Kate Moss’s 80-piece range heads into store this May, incorporating pieces from denim-wear to silk print dresses and micro shorts. Be sure to get up early on May 1, as items will probably sell-out in hours.

U is for Ultramarine
Bright ultramarine blue ruled the catwalk shows. From Dolce & Gabbana to Jean Paul Gaultier and Julien Macdonald this vibrant hue sashayed royally against gold and black, and the high street has followed suit. Get your version in satin dresses or jersey tees from H&M, Oasis and Dorothy Perkins.

V is for Vintage
Vintage fashion remains a favourite trend. And Cardiff has a whole host of second hand stores, as well as its own vintage fashion fair twice a year (March and October). Look to Hobos in the High Street Arcade and I Claudius in the Castle Arcade for some rummage-worthy garments.

W is for Wedges and Wellies
Footwear choice in Cardiff this season is simple. Go for the season’s must-have style in wedges, or choose wellies which were everywhere at London Fashion Week and perfect for keeping your feet dry in the wetter weather. Try Office, Buzz & Co or Faith.

X is for eXtras
Accessories as ever, are the essential extra element for any outfit this season. So whatever else you choose be sure to team it with an oversized bag, a flower in your hair, and some precious-looking jewellery. Accessorize as always, is your first port of call.

Y is for Yellow
While ultramarine covered the catwalks of some, Valentino, Lanvin and Versace welcomed yellow. And this is not mustard. Instead think canary, bold bright and brilliant. Topshop have picked up on the trend as have NEXT, H&M, River Island and more.

Z is for Zero
Which is how much money you are likely to have left after this shopping trip!

High Heels: why we love them

2007-03-19T23:03:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Spring Collection 2007

Rachel Arthur explores the five inch fetish...

It-Bag Lady

2007-03-19T23:01:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Spring Collection 2007

Rachel Arthur investigates the lure of the it-bag...

Fashion's moral code

2007-03-19T22:58:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Spring Collection 2007

Can style and ethics really mix? Rachel Arthur invesigates fashion's moral code...

Profile: Laura Deacon, Dance for Life project manager, Red Cross

2007-03-07T11:29:00.002Z

COURSE ASSIGNMENT

Laura Deacon looks like a dancer, long giraffe-like legs carry her gracefully around the room, a perfect posture portrays an air of self-confidence, while the straight blonde hair pulled away from her face resembles that of the finest ballerina.

This elegant demeanour perfectly complements the 1000 or so impressionable young dancers Laura is currently coordinating in the 2007 Dance for Life festival due to begin in April.

A project run by the Hampshire Red Cross, Dance for Life invites children from dance schools all around the south coast to compete against each other and raise money for the charity.

And as Project Manager, Laura is the one running the show. “It’s an exciting scheme,” she explains, “and the kids just absolutely love it. Each dance school goes out individually with their red bucket and raises £50 to take part in the festival, which has proved to be great fun.”

Pausing to give swift instructions down the phone to one of the many volunteers assisting her, Laura certainly seems in control. She oozes self-confidence, radiates efficiency and still manages to hold a smile together throughout.

But this assertive 23 year old is nothing like the young girl I met less than a year ago at the first Dance for Life festival.

“That was my first night stage-managing an event, and it was possibly one of the scariest things I’ve ever done,” she recalls. “I completely panicked. I was there backstage trying to coordinate loads of kids and all I could think was, oh my god, what have I actually got myself into.”

Fortunately, she never gave herself away. Headset in place, clipboard in hand, she expertly rushed from room to room coordinating everything from rehearsals and dressing rooms, to tickets, seating and judges. Dance for Life 2006 was a sweeping success, 500 children participated across Hampshire and £7,200 was raised for the charity.

So popular was the event, dance schools from Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight are included this year, and it is hoped the scheme will be developed into a national event by 2009.

Friend and former dance partner, Natalie Jupp, is not surprised. “Laura always puts in 110 per cent to make what she is working on succeed. Don’t let her fool you with that initial shy and modest persona, she shines when she’s performing, and this is the opportunity to give the performance of her life.”

Laura certainly seems destined for this path. Having danced since the age of three, she is well accustomed to being on the stage. “I remember my very first performance like it was yesterday,” she smiles. “I dressed up with a pincushion on my head, and did a little dance to Tinkerbell.” It was the round of applause as she swirled around the stage one too many times that got her hooked, confirming her desire to be in the limelight for life.

Dancing became Laura’s one and only hobby, taking her from the stage of The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton to that of the Palladium in London, and every other school play in between.

Later she taught, first “Baby Ballet” back at her old club, Jane McKinnon’s School of Dance, in Rownhams near Southampton, and then during college, for an after school club at Mountbatten School in Romsey. She even took time to practice on her two younger siblings, forcing them to dress up and learn the routines she had choreographed.

“Oh she was always making us do her dances in the living room,” groans her now 20-year-old sister Sarah. “I loved it, but then I did lots of dancing back then too. Our little brother Richard also used to join in, but now he’s 15 he’d be way too embarrassed to admit it!”

Laura continued dancing herself, performing professionally at festivals, holiday camps, nightclubs and even army barracks. But it was official competitions that she tried to stay away from. “I only ever did one, and it was possibly the most hideous experience of my life. Everyone got judged by this strict, X-Factor like panel, which criticised even the smallest of mistakes. It was just a horrible horrible experience,” she emphasises, “I would never want anybody to go through that again.”

Which is exactly why she made Dance for Life a festival. While dancers do compete against each other they are not given marks and none of the teams get subjected to negative feedback. “We like to think of it as a celebration of dance. Everyone goes away with an award which I know can be a bit fixed, but at the same time it means no one goes away feeling like they’ve done badly,” Laura explains.

The main aim of the festival, besides raising awareness of the charity, is for children to integrate with one another and have fun.

Laura’s eyes light up as she describes a group of seven year olds that particularly grabbed her attention last year, “They were all dressed up in such fantastic ‘East meets West’ costumes, it was like a merging of cultures, which is exactly what we wanted the festival to represent. But it was the excitement on their faces when they came off stage that got me. I could remember what that felt like and it left me buzzing.”

It is strange to learn that Laura never intended for such a career when she seems so suited to the role. Having toyed with the idea of law, she eventually chose to study journalism at Bournemouth University, graduating in 2005. Her dream was to pursue investigative journalism, but in the long run she was left disappointed. “I had this idealistic view that I would change the world, but when it came to finding a job I just ended up at a local radio station writing articles about roads being closed.”

And that was her turning point. Feeling uninspired she realised her best time at university had been working with the RAG (Raising and Giving) team fundraising for different organisations. These charitable ventures, often including things like dance shows, helped many people, which is exactly what Laura wanted to do. She became motivated to find a job for a local charity, and the Red Cross just happened to be advertising.

Mike Carter, senior fundraiser for Hampshire and now Laura’s boss, instantly took a shine to her. “She was just so enthusiastic. I think it comes from being young. Loads of fresh ideas and so friendly with it I would have been stupid to turn her away really,” he explains with a smile.

Now, little over a year into the job, Laura has never been happier. She is in awe of the work that people do because they want to make the world a better place. “People are so passionate about the cause, they give up so much time to volunteer and I am just so inspired by that,” she emphasises.

And she too is incredibly committed. It is like her life is on hold in order to succeed in this career. The pace of her week is so hectic she does not have time for that of a boyfriend for example. “I just don’t care though. I need all the spare time I’ve got at the moment,” she justifies quite genuinely. She’s working 14-hour days at times and gives up most of her weekends as well. She still lives at home with her Mum, a schoolteacher, and Dad, an estate agent, but she doesn’t resent it at all. “I do feel like I’ve taken a step backward by moving in with them again, but it has allowed me to have and concentrate on this career, which at the moment is more important.”

Not only is Dance for Life planned for national rollout by 2009, but there are whispers it may in the long run hit the international stage as well, which explains why Laura feels the need to focus all her energies so specifically.

Even now, her face is a picture reflecting on that concept. The excitement is unquestionably noticeable, like a child in a sweetie shop she can’t contain herself, babbling through a long list of adjectives to explain it. “It’s just amazing,” she concludes. “It is really really really surreal, I mean I still kind of can’t believe it. Dance for Life was just me, this tiny little idea for a fundraiser because I loved to dance and now there’s even talk that it could be like the Macmillan Coffee Morning of the Red Cross.

She giggles nervously at the prospect. “Crikey,” she adds, “It’s a lot of pressure.” But she hopes it will happen and is determined to grow with it. “It’s my baby, I’d like to go through it in all its developmental stages just so I can be a part of it,” she says. And Carter is confident she will rise to the challenge.

What is certain is how prepared she now seems. That shy girl from a year ago is long gone, and instead an ambitious and successful woman remains. Passionate for the cause and firing on all cylinders, Dance for Life 2007, with Laura in charge, is destined for success.

“The best thing is, it’s like my lifelong hobby has coincided with my desire to make a difference in the world,” she gleefully sums up. And at heart, she remains that three-year-old Tinkerbell eager to get on stage and show off to the world. “If there is one thing Dance for Life does to me, is make me want to dance again,” she grins, “Except you’d never get me in a tutu these days!”

Welsh Fashion

2007-02-25T11:36:00.001Z

COURSE ASSIGNMENT

February 2007 and it’s show time. New York has been and gone, Milan and Paris are on their way. Right now, all eyes are on Britain, as London Fashion Week kicks off. Knightsbridge is thriving with journalists, photographers and buyers. The bustle backstage is phenomenal as final pins are put in place, zips are done up and lipgloss is firmly applied.

Thousands are watching in admiration as the nation’s greatest designers showcase their collections for autumn and winter 2007. But just as quickly as it began, it’s over again. London Fashion Week retires until September and the fashion pack departs for Milan and then Paris.

But not everyone has left. Elsewhere in London, the tension is just beginning as some of the country’s youngest designers prepare for the Swatch Alternative Fashion Week. Ross Jenkins, from Ystrad Rhondda, is one of them. Newly graduated, extremely talented and eager to get out there, he is one to watch.

At 23 years old he already has a wealth of experience under his belt. A week of work experience with Alexander McQueen, five months with Luella Bartley (even getting to produce some of the main pieces for her New York show), a trip to Italy to create the knitwear for his graduate collection, and some top notch achievements including the UK Urban Fashion Award for Best Men’s Line, have him firmly set for success.

Now appearing on March 19 at the Swatch Alternative Fashion Week, the event created to help young designers get discovered, Jenkins has reworked his graduate collection, added a few new pieces and enlisted the help of a print illustration artist to assist with a new range.

“It’s an exciting time,” says the Welsh designer. “Alternative Fashion Week is another great opportunity to showcase my work, and I’m hoping it may pay off.”

And if it does, he won’t be the first. Wales has long been the breeding ground of incredible creative talent and Jenkins follows in the footsteps of many famous designers before him: Julien Macdonald and Laura Ashley from Merthyr Tydfil, Jeff Banks from Ebbw Vale, David Emanuel from Bridgend and Lezley George from Cardiff.

Yet like many, it was London that got Jenkins to where he is, and London that remains perceived as the place to be if you hope for true success. “London has so much more to offer,” says Jenkins. “But it shouldn’t be like that, Wales has a lot too and people should be promoted a lot more, I would have loved to have stayed, I just didn’t think I’d get anywhere.”

And his feelings ring true. In Cardiff, Wales is proud to boast the title of “Europe’s youngest capital city”, yet prospects for young designers remain limited. If Jakarta, Helsinki and Dublin manage to have their own fashion weeks, providing opportunities for fresh talent to get promoted, spotted and even employed, why can’t Cardiff?

Kate Handley, owner of The Fashion Showcase, seems to agree. “Cardiff has the potential to be a fashion capital,” she says. “There is so much talent hidden here, it just doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.”

Her company, which has been running for almost a year, aims to provide this. It hosts regular catwalk shows in the city that feature fantastic local boutiques, and Handley says it will soon have a young designers’ category too. “I am trying to say, ‘look at the variety we have in Cardiff, look at how amazing they are’,” she explains.

And Jenkins is pleased. Despite leaving Wales himself, he is enthusiastic for anything that may help fashion succeed back at home.

But he advises other young designers that he didn’t get where he is today by sitting back. He knows what it’s like to want it, and he is still working hard to get it. “You have to take absolutely every opportunity there is,” he says. “You can’t wait for things to happen; you have to make them happen yourself.”

One of the companies to turn to for assistance is the Welsh Clothing and Textiles Association (WCTA). They support local Welsh designers, providing advice for their businesses and promoting them across the industry.

Chairman Virginia Teague also hinted that they are currently working on some “high profile events” to raise the profile of Welsh fashion. She is not however, at liberty to say any more, instead alluding to designers that they “watch this space”.

She believes that furthering design in Wales must first be achieved by encouraging talent to stay here. “There isn’t a huge provision in Wales for courses, and once designers are out, it is hard to get them back,” she explains.

Jenkins is a case in point. He left Wales at 18 years old to study at the University of Creative Arts in Epsom on the basis that the courses in Wales couldn’t provide him with what he wanted. “Being near London just had better connections and better opportunities,” he says.

Nonetheless, Irene Dee, Senior Technician for BA Fashion Design at the University of Wales, Newport, says in defence, “Our students are just as talented, and we aim to offer the same opportunities.” She explains how they are pushing links with London having given their first show at London Fashion Graduate Week last year.

What’s more, legendary designer Zandra Rhodes highly credited all the Newport students when they were there, spending over half an hour looking over their portfolios.

Rhodes herself studied outside of the capital, and Dee reiterates how she made quite a point at the show of saying she believes creativity can flourish better away from the distractions and influences of London.

Ultimately Dee says that what students need above anything else is passion, but she also explains how design success is not all about creativity these days. It is also crucial for students to have all-round business knowledge in order to compete successfully in the market. “It’s all very well having cutting edge designs, but if students don’t have the other skills, they won’t get the job,” she finishes.

Ross Jenkins, who is currently furthering his own line rather than working for another designer, credits himself as a sound businessman. “You have to be,” he says, “You have to have the ambition and ability to take every opportunity given to you as you don’t know which one will be your lucky break. And you have to be willing to work with anyone and everyone.”

He aspires for international recognition as a Welsh designer like the many before him, and seems very determined to get there.

On that note, it’s back to the sewing machine. The Swatch Alternative Fashion Week is not far away and long hours still need to go in beforehand. Who knows, perhaps this will be the one that leads him to the big catwalk of the future he is dreaming of.

The only hope now is that it may be in Wales.

Magazine: Magasin – A look in the mirror

2007-01-09T12:13:00.002Z

COURSE ASSIGNMENT

Publishing and retail may seem worlds apart, but in practice the two are highly reflective of one another. Is a magazine really like a shop? Through design, format and customer experience, Rachel Arthur proves that the analogy exists

You go there to choose what to wear, find some information or even get an idea for dinner. Sometimes you rush through, grab what you need, and leave quickly. On other occasions the experience is more leisurely; you deliberate over items, chat with friends and stop for a cup of tea.

It was Nicholas Brett, Deputy Managing Director and Group Editorial Director of BBC Magazines, who recently said, “A magazine is like a shop,” and this description compares the two. Not only is it an account of shopping, but it is one of reading magazines.

The two are vastly reflective of one another, even starting with the meaning of the word. “Magazine” can be traced through French, magasin, a shop or storehouse, Italian, magazzino, a store or depot, to Arabic, mahazin (plural of mahzan), a warehouse or storage.

A storage facility is the common theme throughout. Today’s magazine, like today’s shop, is a storehouse of goods, services and information.

But it is the design of each that Nicholas Brett defines as the main similarity. “Store design mirrors the way magazines are made,” he explains.

In the first instance, both are divided into sections or organised into departments: a range of merchandise in the shop, a variety of categories in the magazine.

The content is what appeals to consumers, but it is the window display or the front cover that first attracts them. It acts as an advertisement, encouraging people in by offering them an idea of what to expect.

The contents page then does the same job, summarising what’s “in-store” and informing people where to find it.

Throughout both, signposts grab people’s attention. Crossheads, illustrations and pull-quotes attract the reader to a page, in the same way that posters, pillars and points direct the customer to a certain area of the shop.

Doing so helps counteract the non-linear tendencies typical to each. “When I go to John Lewis I come in from Cavendish Square while others enter from Oxford Street, retailers have to be prepared for this,” says Brett, comparing it to how readers begin at the back of a magazine.

A good shop or magazine is not navigated from start to finish in order for it to make sense. People jump from one department to the next, coming and going as they please, and as a result, both are designed accordingly.

Ensuring customer satisfaction remains key to both parties. Mark Beard, International Business Manager for FHM, says that branding plays an important role, “It gives integrity,” he explains. In such saturated markets, a strong brand helps to determine which store customers walk into and which magazine they pick up. Customer loyalty is the goal for both.

That is what makes 30,000 shoppers visit Topshop’s flagship in London every day, and convinces nearly 600,000 readers to buy Heat magazine each week.

In fact gossip magazines and fast-fashion stores correlate well. The throwaway culture inhabited by Closer, Reveal and Now is reflective of the weekly turnover at Zara, H&M and Asda. Customers frequently return, loyally indulging week after week.

But where magazines have kept readers entertained for hours at a time with their enticing content, stores traditionally have not.

Enter the concept of “experiential retailing” where retailers have now realised the benefits of retaining customers in-store for as long as possible too.

Bill Webb, senior lecturer at the London College of Fashion, explains that today’s consumer is “cash rich and time poor”. To combat this, retailers have to create an environment, provide an experience, and turn their shop into a destination. Topshop and Selfridges do so by providing personal stylists, comfy seats, cafés, in-store events and even nail bars, meaning that today’s shop can once again be compared to magazines. Both now offer appealing environments, encouraging customers to escape.

Vogue is a useful example. Month after month loyal readers return, tirelessly flicking through the pages, studying the products in each section, even tolerating the hundreds of interloping advertisements in order to enjoy the experience being offered.

And Harrods could be the shopping equivalent. Both possess an aspirational environment. Thousands of consumers never buy; they merely look. And both qualify as an authority, believable for their heritage and crucially, their brand.

In short, Brett’s analogy works. Does it mean magazines and shops should consider each other as direct competitors? Probably not, but the boundaries are beginning to blur. Where retailers have produced their own customer magazines for years, Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine have now reversed the role and opened their own airport shops. “[They] provide a shopfront for the 280,000 plus readership, and like the magazine… showcase the best of Australian wine and produce,” says Trendwatching.com.

Magazines and shops are learning from one another. Perhaps the high street of tomorrow will see FHM flagships, Olive supermarkets and Cosmopolitan department stores. The analogy’s future is promising.

Butetown

2006-12-21T12:03:00.001Z

COURSE ASSIGNMENT

Dusk has arrived, the bingo mats have been put away, and the bus is waiting outside. Vera Roberts already has her coat on, but she is too busy re-enacting her favourite childhood activities to be concerned with rushing out the door.

“We would jump in and you’d go…” her arms fly forward and then round as she demonstrates her breaststroke in the air, all the while humming an appropriate tune.

Her eyes light up, and her face looks delightfully energised as she reminisces about her time spent synchronised swimming in the old canal.

“One of the girls would be singing, and we would swim right across the canal,” she says. “We’d get up and have a rest, and then we’d come back again. That was our way of doing it. That was our swimming baths like.”

Vera is 82. It is senior citizens day at the community centre and for the last few minutes she has been sharing her memories of what life in Butetown, or Tiger Bay as it was commonly called, used to be like.

Endless reference is made to the different activities local children used to enjoy; even stories of swimming with dead dogs and rats are included. Vera could have talked for hours, so full is her mind of happy times, but a certain sadness seems to prevail when she relates it to present day.

“There is nothing like that for children down here now,” she explains, her animated expression disappearing, “There is nowhere for them to go. They knocked everything down and they never replaced it, which they should have.”

Her account is a common one. Historically Butetown is renowned for being one of the nation’s first multicultural communities. All religions, languages and race were said to be welcome at a time when such was little heard of elsewhere.

Karen Armstrong-Bryan, a volunteer at Butetown History and Arts Centre, recalls how accepting people were. “We all got along. There was no prejudices here, we never came across racial discrimination. We were such a strong, close-knit community,” she explains.

But the regeneration of the area in the 1960s, and since, is criticised for having torn the neighbourhood apart. New housing estates, roads and industrial developments came in, and as Karen describes it, the community spirit went out.

Sports facilities, including the “swimming” canal, were destroyed, and the majority were never rebuilt. Instead, children had to begin travelling out of Butetown for their activities.

Vera can remember gymnastics stars in the area, dancing lessons at the youth centre and all sorts of other fun activities. But she saddens at how they all disappeared when the regeneration took place. Where there had been boxing clubs producing the likes of Joe Erskine, British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion, now there was none.

“There was just no money invested in sports or other activities within the community, so it all kind of fragmented,” Karen explains.

Chalky White’s, the local youth centre of the past, holds many fond memories for both women. “You could do everything and anything there,” Karen recalls. But based in Loudoun Square, said to be the heart of Butetown, it too was knocked down when the new housing scheme was developed. Vera expresses how much of a shame it was, “It was so successful, people today still call for it to be reopened.” This comes in part because it catered for those under 12, an age group which is now little provided for in the area.

The Youth Pavilion, which has been running for 11 years, and is currently the only community centre specifically for children in Butetown, does offer activities such as football, basketball and dance lessons, but it is mainly for those who are older.

Karen urges that the council once again considers facilities for younger children, and perhaps her request is shortly to be fulfilled. A “Multi Use Games Area” (MUGA) is currently being developed which will provide a place for youngsters to exercise and play. Steve Morris, head of Sports Development for Cardiff Council, explains that the site has been funded by a large lottery grant and is set for completion in April 2007. While it is a part of St Cuthberts R C Primary School, it will also be open to the community.

“There are about five or six different sports that can be played on it, and it’s got floodlighting so it can be used up until nine every night,” explains headmistress, Rozz Thomas. She is looking forward to having somewhere to let her youngest pupils exercise properly, “All the boys want to do is play football, so we’ll be able to really train them,” she says.

Sadly, however, it is positioned just outside of Butetown. Based on Letton Road, it is actually the other side of the railway line, which historically Karen says was the divide between multicultural Butetown and the rest of Cardiff. “There was no racism until you crossed the railway,” she explains. Interestingly enough, the school was not always there. It was based in Butetown for over 100 years, but it moved site five years ago in order to upgrade its facilities. “It had nothing at all when it was in Butetown,” Rozz Thomas explains, “But there was nowhere there for it to be built any better, which is such a shame.”

Despite this, many children from Butetown still attend the school. The railway divide is beginning to be blurred and many parents think the MUGA will be a positive asset to the community, even though it is not as close as it could have been.

Steve Kaitch, the manager of the Youth Pavilion, certainly agrees. He argues that the decline in sports facilities in Butetown is more to do with the changing nature of sport, rather than the area’s regeneration.

“Times have changed,” he explains. “You can’t just train in an old hut or out on a field, you need safe, secure environments, and you need trained, qualified staff, which makes it more expensive, and so facilities drop off.”

He says that running sports activities has become more professional, which as a result has meant the quality of doing so has also become higher and to some extent less attainable. Butetown residents may have to travel slightly further, but it is worth it for them to be in a superior environment.

While the senior citizens may be nostalgic for their synchronised swimming days in the old canal, the health implications of doing so with dead dogs, and rats certainly seems less appealing. Add to that the lack of a lifeguard, the fact that in the 1950s an average of four children drowned there a year, and it is fairly unlikely Vera Roberts would allow her own grandchildren to do the same today.

Rozz Thomas says, “I know some of the older people probably feel a bit lost right now, but I think the children growing up here will see it in a different light.”

It cannot be denied that some sort of facility for the youngest children in Butetown would be useful. “Our own leisure centre is what we need,” says Karen at the Butetown History and Arts Centre.

And perhaps that is not such an impossible dream. “There is currently a huge focus on black and multiethnic provision (BME) in the area,” says Steve Morris at Cardiff Council, “Most of it is in research at the moment but this will lead to key action that will be developed next year.”

So it seems that the future of Butetown does still hold potential. While the area may have changed, a positive feeling seems to be simmering underneath; perhaps the spirit of the community has not yet died after all.

Virtual Worlds: the Branded Future?

2006-12-15T11:56:00.001Z

COURSE ASSIGNMENT
PUBLISHED ON STUDENT WEBSITE

As established brands consider their presence in Second Life, online retailing is moving to a whole new level. Could this be the future for branding?

Profile: Jenny Howell

2006-12-09T12:04:00.001Z

COURSE ASSIGNMENT

She looks like the stereotypical ageing hippy I had imagined. Long dark greying hair is braided back off her forehead, and wire rimmed glasses frame her unmade-up face. Her simple jeans and pink t-shirt are of course fair trade, while her black cardigan, she informs me, was from Hobbs more than 12 years ago.

But Jenny Howell is no pushover. She is intelligent and proactive. She is an eco-warrior, and has the shop to prove it.

Oyster is Cardiff’s one and only ethical clothing store. Hidden among a treasure trove of quaint boutiques in the Castle Arcade, it is truly worth a visit. Brightly coloured garments hang on the walls. Beautiful bags, jewellery and shoes adorn the shelves. And a hint of environmental awareness exists: leaflets at the desk, appropriate magazines for sale, the odd notice here and there, but nothing so conspicuous that unaccustomed customers are scared off.

All in, this store is a dream come true for 42-year-old Jenny, and one that seemed destined from the start.

While studying Anthropology at University, Jenny volunteered at her local Oxfam store, a move she attributes to the influence of her older sister, “She was always very into the environment when we were growing up, and that kind of rubbed off on me I guess.”

Consequently, Jenny went on to work for both Friends of the Earth and Wildlife Trust, cementing her passion for all things green.

She then accidentally fell into a career as a civil servant, working in private office when the Welsh Assembly was born. She remained there for many years, but ultimately decided she did not enjoy their ethos. “People were clambering over each other to make an impression. It was really backbiting and quite a nasty culture.”

So she left to be at home with her two children, Iwan (11) and Dan (9). Dan was just three at the time and proving quite a challenge. When they discovered he was autistic, Jenny found it incredibly stressful. “He didn’t speak at all,” she says, “But we learnt how to deal with him, and now he’s brilliant. He’s an odd little kid, but he’s fun.”

As her children grew up, Jenny was given the opportunity to once again volunteer at Oxfam. “It was nice because it gave me something to do that wasn’t looking after Dan, but it was also flexible for when he needed me,” she explains.

But a few years later, when both children were doing well at school, she longed for a challenge again. “I wanted to do something that reflected me,” she says. And so the concept of Oyster was born.

Jenny spent a year developing the exciting project. She visited suppliers all around the world, found premises and got funding together. Last August, the ethical store opened and Jenny hasn’t looked back since. “It’s been hard work, but it’s worth it. I’m hoping to even be able to pay myself one day,” she smiles.

She is determined to make her business a financial success, and is also passionate about the cause it supports. “We’re amazed at how many of our customers do care,” she explains, but she hastens to add that buying ethically is just the beginning. “There is this view that if you buy fair trade the world will be a better place and you don’t need to worry anymore. But there’s always more to do.”

She stresses that people need to fight for trade justice and lobby change, something she is motivated to keep up with herself.

In the next few months she is hoping to screen Iraq For Sale, a controversial film about those that have profited from the Iraq war; host a talk by a fair trade cotton producer; and hold coffee mornings to support Action Aid and Fairtrade Fortnight.

On the other hand, Jenny recognises that there are personal conflicts and believes individuals should not pressure themselves. She admits there are even compromises in her own life. She has a solar panel on her roof, but does go on aeroplanes. She eats mostly vegetarian, but if her sons occasionally want sausages, then why not? “I have a kind of integral world view which I fit into as much as I can but I don’t stint myself. I just organise my life so that it enables me to do things in a more environmentally friendly way.”

This realistic attitude is exactly why Jenny doesn’t preach to people. While she has her own political voice, she doesn’t want to frighten customers away, instead she simply provides them with information when they want it.

Feeling guilty in my Topshop clad self, I notice she has not once judged me, let alone tried to reprimand me. She has realised that knowledge alone is a powerful weapon, and this time I am the susceptible target: promptly I head back to work, purposefully avoiding the highstreet along the way. Jenny Howell has inspired me.

Baby Spice grows up

2006-12-06T11:46:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Compass, December 2006

What does Emma Bunton really, really want? Rachel Arthur follows the star's transformation

Happy birthday LBD!

2006-12-04T11:34:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Ladies First, Winter Collection 2006

In recognition of its eightieth birthday, Rachel Arthur discusses the perennial allure of the Little Black Dress...

Incredible India

2006-09-03T16:35:00.000+01:00

PUBLISHED: TravelHiker.com, September 2006

India is truly the most amazing place. I have only been here for two weeks so far, and yet have seen and done so much. We started out in Mumbai at 2am and 28 degrees, incredible! After a few hours sleep and a refreshing shower, we headed out of the busy Bollywood city and southwest to a tiny town called Lonavla.

From here I've experienced everything you could possibly imagine. Sleeping on the floor, not having any electricity (yes I can survive without my hair straighteners), only having a bucket and a tap for a bath, plenty of cockroaches, toilets 'in the nature'... and more.

We've spent three days in an Ashram – a spiritual institution following yoga practices, having lots of massage and learning ancient Indian Ayurvedic techniques. Next we went camping, lived on a little island for three days and even tried sleeping in a Hindu temple. Went trekking through the jungle, abseiled the side of a massive cliff and scaled the side of a mountain - about 800 ft above sea level on a 1500ft cliff.

The food is incredible although needless to say we have all been suffering with a bit of Delhi belly.

I have had Henna on my hands and feet, swam in an enormous lake, been eaten alive by mosquitoes, danced at a local wedding, seen more cows in the middle of the road than you could ever imagine, learnt some Hindi, met tons of amazing people and loved every second of it.

Last night we slept on a bus, and today have arrived in Goa. The weather is still beautiful and I'm in a hotel right on the beach, you'd probably all be a little shocked (there's still no shower) but to me, it now feels like pure luxury. Next week I start my volunteer work in a local day care centre and can't wait.

Namaste for now!

Review: Moyo Restaurant

2006-09-02T16:31:00.000+01:00

PUBLISHED: TravelHiker.com, September 2006

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

This restaurant was one of my absolute favourites while in South Africa. I guess it's an African equivalent of the Rainforest Cafe or Planet Hollywood, in that there is a theme running throughout the establishment, but that probably doesn’t do it enough justice. Unlike many retail restaurant chains, this one has a truly genuine atmosphere, and the difference is definitely in the quality of the food.

The menu takes its inspiration from all over Africa, dishes range from Moroccan Tagine to local Ostrich, Impala or Calamari. Whatever you do, be sure to get the bread dish for the table, and prawn samoosas to start - heaven.

The wine list is also plentiful. What's more you can head down to the cellar to begin with and sample them all.

The true essence of the place however, is in its service. African ladies bustle around, singing songs and washing your hands before the meal. Another comes to paint your face while a gentleman drums away on his bongo set beside you. Then of course the live music starts with the most beautifully rich voices you could ever imagine, and tribal dances that are so attention grabbing you'll practically leave your meal to go cold.

The prices are reasonably expensive for South Africa, but if you're going over with pounds it will still seem cheap anyway.

I honestly can't recommend this place enough, I took all my friends and family with me that came to visit, and still got my face painted every time.

There are now four of them open across South Africa, so be sure to check out the website www.moyoafrica.co.za if you're heading that way. I heard while I was there that they're opening one in Botswana next and then aiming for London, so fingers crossed I'll get my fill again.

Review: Fairlinch Campsite

2006-09-01T16:26:00.000+01:00

PUBLISHED: TravelHiker.com, September 2006

Location: Croyde, United Kingdom

If you’re after simplicity then this is the place for you. We ended up there out of pure idleness really: four of us decided to go camping near Croyde in North Devon for the bank holiday weekend and weren’t clever enough to consider that the majority of campsites would have been booked up months before.

Fortunately I stumbled across this one online (see www.fairlinch.co.uk), which had only just opened and we were set.

When I say simplicity, I literally mean a farmers field with a portaloo style toilet hut and shower cubicle. But there’s hot water and it’s all clean, so as long as you are not after a hair straightener or electric razor, you haven’t got much to worry about. What’s more it’s only £7 per person per night.

The area is amazing. Just about four miles from Croyde, which is a surfer’s paradise, and it’s in walking distance of Braunton village and Saunton sands beach as well.

Basically, if you like surfing, fish and chips and homemade ice cream, and want a cheap and cheerful break then this is the place for you.

Cressed to thrill

2006-05-05T01:42:00.004+01:00

PUBLISHED: Southern Daily Echo 05.05.06

Day Out: Watercress Festival

A Starr turn

2006-04-07T11:26:00.002+01:00

PUBLISHED: Southern Daily Echo 07.04.06

Rachel Arthur talks to madcap comic Freddie Starr about his love of the theatre, his subdued real-life nature, a return from retirement and the demise of television

Be good to yourself

2006-01-01T00:51:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Hampshire Society, January 2006

Rachel Arthur takes a look at some of the south's most luxurious health spas, which offer the ultimate pampering packages including massage, hydrotherapy and body treatments

We love... mince pies

2005-12-16T13:30:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Southern Daily Echo, December 2005

Santa Claus is coming to town!

2005-12-16T10:01:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Southern Daily Echo 16.12.05

Rachel Arthur talks to the jolly man himself, Roy Barraclough, Southampton's resident Santa Claus

Hard work pays off with mark of approval

2005-12-14T10:36:00.002Z

PUBLISHED: Southern Daily Echo 14.12.05

Maple Gymnastics Club in Landford has been rewarded for its excellence, praised for its good practice and awarded the prestigious GymMark

A man of the sea

2005-12-11T13:27:00.001Z

COURSE ASSIGNMENT (Short course in Creative Writing)

I am in a tiny fishing town in the state of New England, surrounded by whitewashed wooden buildings: cafés and souvenir shops with captivating window displays. The fresh sea air is perfumed with the aroma of fish wafting over from the adjacent market stalls. Seagulls gather close by, squawking for a free meal as the sun glimmers across the tranquil sea front. Old wooden fishing boats and large lobster vessels line the marina. Their painted splashes of reds and greens, whites and blues against the backdrop of a beautiful summers day, remind me of a picture perfect postcard.

I am sitting on a small stonewall that separates the main town parade from the wooden pontoons of the harbour. Enjoying the afternoon warmth with the gentle wind from the ocean, I find myself watching a solitary gentleman. He is leaning against a battered brick building, ironically symbolic of his own elderly frame. He has sad eyes and a lonely look, but a somewhat warming appeal. His silvery white hair flutters in the sea breeze as he concentrates on smoking his cigarette.

I see him gesture at local residents who nod fondly back at him. I imagine him a fisherman, his life spent coming in and out of this town, although perhaps too old now. He has tales to tell, accounts of his time at sea. Pirates and secret caves, storms and huge sharks. I envision him huddled over a bowl of clam chowder, smelling warmly of tobacco and sea salt, sharing his experiences with children from the area. His eyes would light up as he spoke of his encounters, his weathered and wrinkled hands animated in his storytelling. Youngsters would giggle, look horrified and react in perfect timing to the old man’s tales. The stories would be passed on, and in generations to come would fabricate into myths of a true village legend that conquered the merciless ocean.

An eye for detail

2005-11-20T13:32:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Yorkshire Post, November 2005

This season sees a multitude of different fashion trends to follow. Everything from sizzling sixties prints to Russian Babushka dolls, means we are certainly not short on inspiration, but lets face it, we’re not all about to race out and buy a striped mini shift dress, nor an evening gown made purely of feathers!

Sometimes the catwalk trends don’t translate to everyday life, and even if they do, who wants to be dressed in them from head-to-toe? More often than not, staying abreast of the season’s key styles merely needs a subtle nod in the right direction. Rachel Arthur reports on how keeping your wardrobe up-to-date need be no more complicated than investing in a few simple accessories…

• With the return of old style Hollywood glamour we expect the festive season to be all about ladylike elegance. Turn the simplest of dresses into true red carpet appeal with charming jewellery pieces. Coordinate the likes of an Amethyst pendant with a matching ring for that unique ‘stand out from the crowd’ factor. Don’t forget the essential clutch bag. Store your lippy in perfectly proportioned velvet found at LK Bennett.

• If you are going to buy one thing this autumn, let it be a baker boy hat. Seen at every runway show from Dolce & Gabbana to Valentino, they are the autumn’s ultimate must have. Get a stunning goatskin creation from Christian Dior straight off the catwalk, or go cheap with a Woolworth’s version in tweed or black. Team it with a stylish pompom scarf and you’re well on target to adopting the 60’s revival craze.

• You cannot go wrong this season with bags, think oversized, textured and embellished. The key is in the detail: sequins, jewels, studs, eyelets, buckles, chains and tassels are a must. Alternatively dress up an old one with gorgeous bag charms for a playful twist.

• Make your tailoring more ladylike by adding a belt to the look. Simple tops with trousers or skirts can look classy with both wide and thin numbers. Either way, make sure you wear it high to accentuate the waist in a sexy feminine manner.

• The Russian and Military trends seem to cross paths, as seen at Giorgio Armani, meaning you can’t go wrong with mixing these two. Make it your own by tweaking ordinary outfits: add bold brass buttons to jackets, wear fur trimmed hats (or cossacks as they’re called), and make sure you include some embellished detail, embroidery and sheepskin flavourings.

• And finally: it’s official, black is well and truly back, and it has to be said, all us mirror worriers can breathe a sigh of relief as we indulge in it’s luxurious sophistication, and figure slimming quality, hurrah! But before we get too excited, let us remember that while black can be elegant it can sometimes be drab.

So have fun this season by kitting yourself out with bright and detailed extras: Get the key look with coloured leather gloves, or why not add a vibrant scarf with flirty flowers like that from Lakeland.

Lastly, do it with jewellery, chunky beads and chandelier earrings in earthy browns, oranges, greens and berries instantly make a statement. Or choose vintage brooches and hairpins on anything, and everything, to help coordinate with this seasons Victoriana style.

Beauty update

2005-11-18T13:33:00.001Z

PUBLISHED: Yorkshire Post, November 2005

Autumn is upon us, and with the cooler weather comes a whole new beauty look. As seen on the catwalks of Gucci and Alberta Ferretti, make-up follows the 60’s revival with dark eyes, pale caramel lips, creamy skin and a rosy hue on the cheeks. This focus on the eyes sees more blending than previously. Forget bold stark lines, rather think Bridget Bardot: high definition and lots of shimmering texture, but with a softer finish. Recreate this smoky look with lots of black liner and a shimmering eyeshadow like that of Body Shop’s Metal Eyes for £8.50, part of the new Molten Metal Collection. Don’t forget the smudging brush to help blend those lines, Body Shop do a great one for £6.

Alternatively this season, make-up is much more neutral on the eyes with a sophisticated focus on rich lips, as seen at Alexander McQueen. Do it in style with Golden Brown (No.13) or Glowing Burgundy (No. 14), the stunning new shades of Rouge Pure Shine from Yves Saint Laurent this autumn. Each cost £15.50, call 01444 255700 for stockists.

Be sure not to mix the styles, heavy lips and dark eyes can end up looking too much, especially on pale skin. If you can’t decide which you like best, or maybe you want to alternate trends, then be sure to pick up Avon’s Breast Cancer Crusade Lip Palette. The three shades of either pink or bronze as well as the clear gloss, will ensure you have the perfect pout whichever style you choose. Each cost £5 (of which £2 will be donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer) and are available from www.avon.uk.com or call 0845 601 4040 for stockists.

New from Estée Lauder this season comes Individualist, a natural finish foundation that adapts to match your complexion. This breakthrough technology has provided a formula suitable to any skin tone, meaning the search for finding the right shade could not be easier. Furthermore, the lightweight and longwearing finish still provides a covering that minimises the appearance of pores and fine lines. What more could we ask for? Available at Estée Lauder counters nationwide for £21.

As we get older our skin becomes weaker, more fragile and slackened. Lancôme have launched a cream perfect for combating these signs of ageing: Platinéum Complete Restructuring Cream SPF 15, for the face and neck. It contains a unique form of calcium that is retained by your skin, helping to re-build the skin’s structure and boost resilience so it is visibly strengthened. It provides a feast of well-being and softness for mature skin. Costing £88, it is available in department stores nationwide.

Elizabeth Arden also has new skincare products. Perpetual Moisture 24 is the range, which compromises of a cream, lotion and eye cream. Unlike normal moisturisers, which only keep moisture on the surface of the skin, Perpetual Moisture 24 maintains optimum moisture deep in the surface layers of the skin and helps to pre-empt moisture loss at its source. The cream formula is for dry skin whilst the lotion is for normal skin, both £30. The eye cream, £25, banishes dryness from the delicate eye area, targeting dark circles with a 24-hour moisture infusion. Get yours now from Elizabeth Arden counters in Boots and larger department stores.

Hypnôse is the latest feminine fragrance from Lancôme. With a woody vanilla scent, the perfume is supposed to represent a woman who knows how to use her charm to captivate the man she loves! It comes in a beautiful slender bottle inspired by a Japanese woman in her Kimono and a tower of twisting crystal. Costing £28.50 for 30ml and £42.50 for 50ml, this fragrance would make a delightful gift or a special self-indulgent treat. Available from 17th October in department stores nationwide.

Undergraduate Dissertation Abstract

2005-07-01T14:38:00.001+01:00

DEGREE: BA (Hons) Fashion Management
*First Class Honours

DISSERTATION TITLE: An investigation into the rationality of decision-making processes employed by fashion brands when selecting in which men’s magazine to advertise

In western society, ‘consumers are [continuously] bombarded by marketing messages’ (Aaker, 1996:4) and yet they disregard 90% of it (Quinn, 1987). As a result, brands not only have to focus on the content of their advertisement, but also select the appropriate vehicle in which to convey it to the intended audience, for ‘the content of the ad is not seen separately from the media that delivers it’ (Lloyd, 1999:95).

This study focuses on advertising media selection of UK men’s lifestyle magazines by the fashion industry. Of the six key titles: Arena, Esquire, FHM, GQ, Loaded and Maxim, the latter three hold substantially below average proportions of fashion advertising (Mintel 2004), implying that significant differences are believed to exist between the titles, thus influencing advertising decisions. It is these perceived differences that this study aims to investigate. It examines how decisions are made and what specific factors drive these choices. Ultimately it tests the rationality of the decision-making process employed by fashion brands when selecting in which men’s magazine to advertise.

The literature surrounding decision-making, business buying and media planning, outlines generic theory on how choice is made and what factors are involved in the process. While it may help the individual trying to make a decision, it gives no indication to the marketer attempting to interpret and understand how decisions are made, as to the specifics of the process, especially in the sense of the fickle fashion industry. As a result, the following fundamental questions were left unanswered:

- What are the key decision-making factors employed by fashion brands in the selection of men’s magazines, and how do they relate to one another in terms of their importance?

- Do these brands fully comprehend the market positioning of the six magazines, meaning that selection originates from rational evaluation; or do they rather employ a subjective and perceptive decision process, suggesting that potentially poor choices are being made?

This suggested that surveying brand representatives that make media decisions was imperative and a questionnaire was sent to 74 of the ‘big players’ in the fashion industry.

The research found that whilst in theory brands believe they base their decisions on the quantitative and rational considerations of reader profile, cost and circulation, their knowledge of the facts is inaccurate. These misperceptions seem to come from the belief that Arena, Esquire and GQ appeal to a more upmarket reader, showing that editorial environment is ultimately the principal element in the decision process. It can be deduced that in practice, decisions follow an intuitive and subjective process, which is heavily reliant on a misunderstanding of the magazine market.

The conclusion of the study proposes a model that illustrates the interrelationships and importance of specific characteristics employed by brands in their decision process. It enables magazine publishers to fully comprehend how media selection is undertaken by the fashion industry, therefore providing them with a basis upon which to potentially develop their advertising sales strategies.

2005-01-01T13:34:00.007Z

This portfolio only hosts my freelance writing. To see any of my articles from WGSN, please email me.

My most recent features (updated June 2010) include:

2010 Fifa World Cup marketing: sports campaigns
As South Africa prepares to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup, it's a battle of the brands in a marketing sense. WGSN highlights what the sportswear giants are doing to make themselves stand out, including adidas, Nike and Puma.

The iPad: gimmick or game-changer?
Some herald the iPad as the future of media consumption and brand engagement, while others say it's just a gimmick. WGSN considers what the device means for marketers.

Magazines: an optimistic future
With the media landscape becoming increasingly complex for advertisers to navigate, WGSN speaks to experts from across the publishing industry about what magazines can offer.

Digital marketing: a must for luxury brands
In the first of a two-part series, WGSN explains why it's imperative for luxury brands to consider digital media and social networking, or risk losing control as the conversation occurs without them.

Digital marketing: how and what for luxury brands
Digital marketing is now a must-have for luxury brands. In the second of our two-part series, WGSN looks at which platforms to consider and how best to use them.

Ad campaigns spring/summer 2010: season overview
Part one of our spring/summer 2010 global print campaign coverage analyses the key visual trends for the season, including enchanted fairy tales and sinister shadows, poolside sun scenes, the Wild West and a return to the 80s.

Creative inspiration: stop-motion animation
WGSN takes a look at the renaissance of stop-motion animation as a primary technique for blockbuster films, music videos and advertising campaigns.

Tank: a modern media brand
WGSN talks to Caroline Issa, co-owner of Tank Publications, about the brand's growth and diversification, from creative consultancy projects to editorial-come-retail hybrid Because magazine.

Ad campaigns autumn/winter 2009/10: season overview
Taking inspiration from vampires, white witchcraft and royalty, this season's ad campaigns are on the one hand diverse yet on the other tied together by a unanimous feeling of dark and brooding romance. Welcome to autumn/winter 2009/10.

Media interview: Vogue.com editor Dolly Jones
Despite life in a struggling industry, Vogue remains the fashion heavyweight of the consumer publishing world. WGSN talks to Vogue.com editor Dolly Jones about how the online and print editions work together, what made them turn to A-list industry contributors and why you won't necessarily see them on Twitter any time soon

The fashion industry hits the big screen
From Chanel to Valentino, Vogue to Yves Saint Laurent, it seems everyone in fashion is getting on the big screen docu-film bandwagon. WGSN rounds up some of the ones to look out for

Kate Moss: 20 years of style
In the week that Kate Moss marks 20 years in the industry, WGSN talks to Angela Buttolph, author of Kate Moss: Style, about how the model became, and why she remains, such a wardrobe icon

Hollywood Inspirations: Bronwyn Cosgrave
As Hollywood gears up for the 2008 awards season, WGSN talks to Bronwyn Cosgrave, author of Made for Each Other: Fashion and the Academy Awards, about designer collaborations, the best red carpet looks and her own key inspirations

London Fashion Week: Off-Schedule
With some 50 catwalk shows taking place over the six days of London Fashion Week, this season's Off-Schedule designers were not to be missed. WGSN rounds up the best

Global catwalks: autumn/winter 2008/09 hair and beauty
WGSN rounds up the key beauty trends from the international autumn/winter 2008/09 catwalks

Photography inspirations: Ben Dunbar-Brunton
He's shot for nearly every major style title there is, he captured Agyness Deyn before she was famous, and he most wants to work for Calvin Klein. WGSN takes a look at rising photography talent Ben Dunbar-Brunton

Musical make-up inspirations
As theatre becomes an increasing part of popular culture, WGSN enters the magical world of musicals to bring you key make-up inspirations from some of the biggest West End and Broadway shows