I met the lovely Loulou Bontemps at an exciting showcase event in Soho House on Wednesday night. Loulou joined forces with fellow London designers MYSMUT and The Ugly Kids Club to show-off their new releases and to ofcourse share some bubbly.

Before entering the scene, Loulou was unknown to me until all things bright and beautiful from her side of the room grabbed my attention and showed that this designer is big in the game herself. Loulou showcased her gorgeous collection of vintage-inspired, leather clutches each hand made by her.

Textured leathers mixed with vintage fabrics or satin dominate the collection giving the bags a luxurious and time-less style. Over-sized bows and contrasting gunmetal spikes are also key to the exclusive collection. The spikes update and harden the look, a look which I’m sure Rihanna would approve of.  Each clutch is finished off with a touch of embellishment or a handpicked antique trinket.

My favourite bag from her collection had to be the Batlow Clutch. Loulou collaborated with Mr. Batlow from UKC and the results were dope! Batlow gave Loulou’s clutches some much needed patriotic and neon-coloured spray paint in true UKC style and creates a masterpiece (a few of them actually). These customized chocolate brown clutches have the power to liven up any outfit.

Loulou doesn’t stop at handmade bags. She also buys vintage jewelry and customizes them to create real one-off pieces. She also promotes impressive pieces made by undiscovered designers who I believe are the real hidden gems.

I saw this statement piece by Gemma Dane at the showcase event and couldn’t keep my eyes off it. It’s original. It’s gorgeous. It’s beautiful. I bought it. Done.

Check out Loulou Bontemp’s collection and blog:

http://www.loulousboutique.com

Norooz, Newroz , Noruz or Sultan Nevruz (depending on where you’re from) literally translated means new day. It is the New Year as celebrated by people of the Middle East and Asia including Iranians, Kurds, Afghans, Tajiks and Azeris, as well as some countries in Europe such as Albania.

Unlike our celebrations, their New Year does not start on January 1 but rather at the moment of the spring equinox, when the sun passes over the equator. This year that day falls on March 20.

In the run-up to the celebrations a lot of spring-cleaning is done and efforts are made to get things looking presentable. This is extended to personal attire and it is customary to buy at least one new set of clothes and shoes - the perfect shopping opportunity.

You could say that the celebrations are split into three parts: before, during and after. The first part is known as charshanbe soori and is on the last Wednesday of the year. Bonfires are lit and people take turns to jump over them. It is believed that jumping over fire on this day will cleanse you of your sins.

During the New Year it is tradition to visit friends, relatives and neighbours to wish them a happy New Year and custom for the elders in the family to give the younger ones presents. These gifts are called ay dee and are often money.

An important aspect of the New Year is the table that is laid out on the eve. This is called the haft seen and comprises of seven things beginning with the letter ’s’ in the Farsi language. Each item on the table represents something different, for example, a bowl of vinegar is placed to represent age and patience and apples laid out to symbolise beauty and health. Hard-boiled eggs are colourfully painted, sometimes one for each member of the family, and goldfish are placed in a bowl to represent life. It is said that at the exact time of the New Year, the goldfish will flinch.

However the celebrations don’t end there. 13 days later is what is known as sizdeh bedar this translates into ‘throw out the thirteenth’. Houses are left empty as people leave for the outdoors to picnic until the evening. In the past it was believed that leaving the house on this day meant that all bad luck and misfortune left with you and did not stay in the family home.

The New Year is a national holiday spent with family and friends away from the daily stresses of life. At its end, school and work resumes and the New Year is commenced with a clean house, new clothes, strengthened family ties, and with the joy of renewal.

Sale no mobarak/happy New Year.

painted eggs

This show could not have been more different than his now infamous SS 10 show last year where his models were resplendent in all white ,ultramodern pieces, save for the occasional fleck of gold.

As the lights went out we were greeted by the tinkling of classical music and a troop of four models decked out in beautifully draped knee length dresses in rich earthy brown, finished off with dove grey opaque tights and futuristic oval sunglasses like something out of a Clockwork Orange. Unlike the towering sculptural heels of his last collection his models stepped out in flat tan and black suede loafers.

These were swiftly followed by models in angular cut coats in big checks worn with billowing wide legged trousers in dove greys, lilacs and royal blues. Osman even showed us he could do ladylike ,presenting us with garments with a simple yet sophisticated edge like bright coloured high waisted trousers teamed with light, airy nude coloured shirts.

Luckily for us over the knee boots are still on trend this season and Osman added a fresh twist by moving away from the black and patent leather seen in shows last season and the models walked down the runway in taupe, nude and beige creations.

The collection was also accentuated with flashes of coral throughout whether it was peachy pink bandeau bras tucked under chocolate brown cropped suits or in the form of a comfy looking midriff bearing polo neck poncho it complemented his primarily nude colour scheme beautifully.

Osman really added the X-Factor to his collection with the unexpected bursts of colour with pieces encrusted with over-sized jewels. The flashes of red yellow and blue gems on super high beige wedges as well as eye popping jewel covered dresses and intricately bead embellished tops really stole the show.

Bryce Aime, who is known for designing Rihanna’s fearless dress in her music video ‘Hard,’ displayed an innovative collection which echoed his loyalty to the theme of contrast. Soft, fluid fabrics combined with contrasting sharp cuts and shapes. Tailored waistcoats and jackets pieced together using soft satins against rusty metallics were seen throughout.

Towards the finale, the catwalk took a dramatic turn as shapes got bolder and more futuristic. An example would be a black one-piece dominated by blocks. It triggered a mass of flashing lights.

Inspired by ancient Egypt, Bryce featured models wearing head turbans and digital prints resembling bandages. Black, deep plum, purples, draping capes, layering, panels, and overstated zips also dominated the catwalk and showed us once again Aime’s trademark attention to detail.

Bryce Aime’s catwalk show kicked off day two of London Fashion week at On|Off, Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square.

Catwalk exhibition pictures below. Great day. The term ‘dress to impress’ was never taken more seriously.

Invictus

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I went to see Invictus. Was it a sports film or a political drama? Well it’s both and the two genre’s work surprisingly well side by side.

Actor turned director, Clint Eastwood, once again proves himself as a competent storyteller with his film about Nelson Mandela’s struggle for a united post-apartheid state having just been elected South Africa’s President.

Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, uses the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a tool to promote racial harmony across South Africa with the aid of the national rugby team, the Springboks. A bulked up Matt Damon plays the team captain, Francois Pienaar, whose conservative outlook is cracked by Mandela’s optimism.

Mandela invites Pienaar to tea, joins the rugby team in training and famously strides on to the pitch at the South Africa v New Zealand final wearing the same Springboks shirt that a year earlier was a divisive symbol of the old nation.

He writes out a copy of ‘Invictus’ (the poem by WE Henley that helped to sustain Mandela during his 27 years in prison) to Pienaar in his bid to boost the team’s morale. Its lines declare: “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” Words that surely bring hope to even the most cynical and leaves Pienaar astonished at the idea that they can dare to dream about winning the World Cup.

Matt Damon employs, at least to an outsider’s ear, an impressive accent, and manages to blend in beautifully with his fellow players.

Critics have called it “naïve” in its belief that sport can unite or heal a nation, but I see it as a moving tribute to a genuinely great humanitarian. It’s not often that a film can move and inspire so much even after leaving the cinema. A must-see.

Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes

Guy Ritchie’s latest blockbuster is doing very well in the movie charts currently at number two in the UK, beaten only by James Cameron’s massive hit - Avatar. However if you are expecting to see something similar to Snatch or Lockstock, you may be disappointed.

Guy Ritchie - famous for his nonchalant approach to narrative - adopts a more conventional storytelling style in Sherlock Holmes. Only when he flashes a trademark freeze frame do u realise that this is his film.

The classic British detective, played by Robert Downey Jr, is given a new lease of life in a medium which has previously been accused of cheapening the original books. Credit is due to Ritchie for his unconventional portrayal of Holmes and his successful attempt at broadening his usual demographic - even though this may come at the expense of his gangster-loving fans.

Sherlock Holmes seems to be an attempt to branch out and attract a wider audience and it looks like it’s working, given the amount of money it has already made in ticket sales. It is probably safe to say that many of those tickets were bought by women - a new audience that Ritchie has gained thanks to his aesthetically pleasing male leads. That is not to say that Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr just provide eye candy, their performances are also worthy of a mention. Jude Law is particularly good as Dr Watson.

The film has a restless quality that keeps you on your toes and makes the 128 minutes fly by. Ritchie proves to be a competent teller of this classic tale and does well mixing danger with humour making it a film worth seeing.

Munoz/Reuters

From Tuesday 12th January, the destructive earthquake that hit Haiti-a nation already crippled by debt and corruption-put the rest of the world at a stand still. Televised news reports of homes turned to rumble and photographs of parents carrying their dead children and wondering orphans in Port-au-Prince, have forced viewers at home to come to terms with the uncensored aftermath of the earthquake and the truly devastating price innocent people have to pay.

For the last 15 days, news headlines have made sure we remember Haiti’s devastation:

“Haiti: a long decent to hell”

Haiti earthquake victims: ‘You still see dead bodies trapped under rubble’

Haiti Earthquake Death Toll ‘Nears 170,000′

But, amidst all this is a belief that spirit and strength will conquer all. Today, 15 days after the quake, news broke out that a teenage girl was rescued alive from under a house. She was dehydrated and had a broken leg but was conscious. It’s a miracle.

Last week, on BBC news, a reporter reporting from Port-au-prince met a heavily pregnant woman and her family whose home like thousands of others was destroyed by the quake. The woman, who was 9 months pregnant was in labour and fainted. The BBC crew drove her to the nearest hospital where doctors experienced complications because she was too weak to give birth. But, after an hour or so, she finally gave birth to healthy new baby boy. It a was a great story with the illuminating message of hope in the form of a new born amid Haiti’s despair. 

With the global response to the Haiti earthquake being so incredibly generous, nothing but strength and hope should come now to the suffering nation.

The ‘Clueless’ star died in the early hours of Sunday 20 December after going in to cardiac arrest; Showbiz website TMZ reports that Murphy’s mother found the actress unconscious in the shower. Paramedics arrived at her L.A home and immediatelyadministered CPR.  

Murphy was taken to Cedar’s- Sinai Medical Centre, were she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Unconfirmed reports suggested she had become addicted to pain killers following a cosmetic surgery procedure; this followed on from a TMZ report which claimed large amounts of prescription drugs were found in the house during a police search.

The Actress was best known for her roles in films such as ‘Don’t Say a Word’, ‘Just Married’, ‘Uptown Girls’ and‘8 Mile’ to name a few. According to TMZ Murphy was allegedly fired from her last film, ‘The Caller’ after reports she was problematic on set.

The Family has released a statement saying: “The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy. She was our daughter, our wife, our love and a shining star. We ask you to respect our privacy at this time.”

Maharajah Exhibition

Maharajah - The Splendour of India’s Royal Courts

Victoria and Albert Museum (10 October 2009- 17 January 2010)

Price: £11 (£6 for students)

We all enjoy a bit of Indian culture, whether it’s the food, clothing or jewellery, India has certainly made a great impact on multicultural Britain. So in celebration of this, the Victoria and Albert Museum has opened a new exhibition, showcasing the rich history of some of India’s iconic rulers.

The term Maharajah (meaning ‘great kings’) conjures up images of excess and exuberance, and by showcasing elaborate life size replicas of elephants, horses and Rolls-Royce’s the exhibition is certainly true to form.

On entering the exhibition you are met by a life size image of Amar Singh II, one of the many maharajahs who ruled over India in the late 18th Century. This imposing image is mounted on a golden wall and acts as a preview of the grandeur that is yet to come.

The exhibition is spread over five rooms beginning from the early 18th century -during the decline of the Mughal empire- and ending with India’s independence from the British rule in 1947.

Each artefact is ordained by jewels and bright fabrics from each district of the country. Even presumably simple everyday items are shown as extraordinary; hair combs are gold plated, rugs embroidered with pearls and even ruby set shoes (Jimmy Choo eat your heart out).

Attention to detail is clearly prominent as each painting is a credit to precision. The procession of Raja Ram Singh II of Kota, c1850 is a strong lively image that transports the viewer into the moment, from the rings around the elephants trunk to the individual expression of the crowd’s faces, every detail has been captured to perfection.

The tour doesn’t just provide the audience with grand visual images but also gives you food for thought as you venture into the political and social climate of each Maharajah’s rein.

Besides the religious influences of Hinduism and Islam, you can also see a strong influence of ‘British India’ creeping into their developing lifestyles, from education to dress, subtle changes start to take place.  It is here that we see the effects of western style and status on Indian rule. Alongside the artwork, short videos and music add to the atmosphere of each time period and demonstrate the change from east to west.

The exhibition leaves the visitor with a lasting impression and a desire to know more. The images are a classic depiction of a by-gone era and with tickets at just £6 for students it is definitely worth a look, even if it’s just for the gift shop where you can take home a mini Maharajah.

Exhibition Highlights:

Scroll- placed at the beginning of the exhibition- this amazingly intricate scroll (painted between 1825-1830) shows the Maharajah of Mysore at the head of a religious procession which is littered with decorated elephants, statues of Hindu deities and fireworks.

Life size elephant- possibly one of the most impressive features to the exhibition- the life size model is adorned in colour covers and jewels.

Beaded rug- this circular rug was made entirely of beads and pearls.

Patiala necklace- a grand necklace designed by Cartier for the Maharajah of Patiala in 1928 on his birthday. It includes no less than 2,930 diamonds weighing almost 1,000 carats.

Gift shop- includes replicas of some of the jewellery pieces as well as paisley totes and note books. Traditional Maharajah dolls were a popular choice priced between £15-25. ]]> http://www.baitmag.co.uk/culture/the-arts/va-maharajah-exhibition/feed http://www.baitmag.co.uk/news/joe-mcelderry-wins-x-factor http://www.baitmag.co.uk/news/joe-mcelderry-wins-x-factor#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:01:28 +0000 meliha http://www.baitmag.co.uk/?p=1473 Honestly we don’t know what the nation is more looking forward too - Chritmas eve or the new X Factor single! A reported 19.1 million people tunned in this weekend to watch 18-year-old Joe McElderry win the X Factor Crown. This is highest ratings the television show has ever seen (ITV will be having a very Merry Chritmas indeed).

The Bookies favourite won the competiton after going head to head with Stacey Soloman and Olly Murs.

X Factor Finalists

The young geordie has signed a £1 million recording deal, and under the guidance of Simon Cowell will be transformed in to the ‘new Zac Efron’.

Indie group Rage against the Machine are also be making a bid for Chritmas number one, fans of the group have petitoned on facebook to stop the X factor single reaching number one, and have collected over 724,706 members.

But according to iTunes and Amazon, Joe’s version of ‘The Climb’ has already topped their download chart. And with TV appearances and Radio interviews Joe’s new single its most certain the single will steal the top spot of the charts in a matter of days.

Joe’s winning single ‘the climb’ is available to download and purchase from all leading music stores.(originally performed by Myley Cyrus for her Disney Movie Hannah Montana)

Watch his first perfomance as winner of X factor here:

Joe McElderry performing The Climb on X Factor