Elizabeth Taylor dies aged 79.

For the past few years, it was reported that Dame Elizabeth had suffered from ill health. It was confirmed today by her publicist that she passed away from a congestive heart failure in hospital on Tuesday night having suffered from the condition since November 2004. She was surrounded by her children and family.

One of the last on screen sirens...

 

 

 

Dame Elizabeth Taylor

 Febuary 27 1923 - March 23 2011 

 

Happy 50th Birthday Ken Carson!

He looks pretty good for 50! He hasn't aged a day since the last time I saw him sitting on my sofa, almost 15 years ago!

Barbies boyfriend Ken has finally hit the big 5-0! Take a look at The Telegraph's guide at the highs and lows of the famous toyboy.

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8300634/Barbies-toy-boy-Ken-turns-50.html#

Harrods

Last week a friend and I took a trip down to Harrods in Knightsbridge, I know straight away what you are thinking, that this goes against the ethos and promise of my blog- to give to tip on achievable culture and places to go around town- which seems like the opposite of Harrods.

Famed for its high end, designer fashion and luxury items, at first glance this would not appeal to us bargain hunters. But Harrods has excelled my expectations and original thoughts.

When I left Harrods, the impression that I was left with was that it was not just a high end department store; it was a living, up to date museum.

For me, the clothes were not to be purchased, but to be looked at and admired. It’s like being in a museum that is up to date with the latest trends and fashions, not just one that focuses in the past. 

Yes I was sad that I could not afford a darling Chloe jacket, or  a beautiful gold embellished number, but what I did love was the ideas and inspiration it gave me. You can see and touch what is in fashion, feel it not just see it in a magazine.

                    “Omnia Omnibus Ubique—All Things for All People, Everywhere”

Is the motto that Harrods lives by, and I think that is a great one! Harrods has something that will interest everyone.  Even if you hate shopping, and clothes, there is a floor that you will find to suit you.  From the clothes, shoes, gadgets, furniture, history, and endless amounts of food, there is something for everyone. My housemate Alex, really liked the movie and celebrity memorabilia in the ‘World Famous’ floor.

The department had signatures, memorabilia and documents signed by everyone from the American Presidents, to Albert Einstein to Michael Jackson. Harrods has a little bit of everything to interest everyone.

So know I have told you how great it is inside, now all you now need to know is; it’s free!

Just hop on a train and enjoy what London has to offer!

Solidarity….Stars band together against John Galliano.

Last week Israeli born actress Natalie Portman said she was “disgusted” by the remarks made by Galliano in his anti-Semitic rant in which he was arrested for. She said, “As an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr Galliano in any way.”

Galliano checked himself into The Meadows rehab in Arizona, after the meltdown at the Parisian Bar. The Daily Mail insinuated that Galliano’s obsession with his own Jewish roots played a major part to why he seems to have gone off the rails.

Dior has sacked him, and will be removed from the company as soon as possible. The Mail reported today that although Galliano is not is public favour, his designs were loved by the reviewers and fusionists at his collection.

However it is not only Natalie Portman who has publicly slammed Galliano, a model at the Paris townhouse in Avenue Foch showed off her Star of David tattoo at John Galliano’s show on Sunday. The model has not commented on the showing of the tattoo, but others have said that this it was a silent show of solidarity against Galliano’s anti-Semitism.

The designs were beautiful, and the critics have raved about them, but it is sad that Galliano who was known for his outlandish designs and statements that brought something new and fun to fashion will now be remembered by many as a racist.

A great website to follow!

A really great website that I was recommended is Nowness.com. It describes itself as "digital leader in luxury storytelling... the most inspiring stories influencing contemporary culture and global lifestyle... the latest in fashion, gastronomy, art, film, music, design, travel and sport."

I love Nowness because it takes high class culture and makes it touchable. Its a great way of staying in the know in a cool way. Its not just your usual way of showing you stuff you can't have. Its showing you things that you deserve to see.

What especially like about Nowness is that it shows you culture but in a different way, in a cool way. A fun, arty way. To be honest I just love it! You have to see it to believe it!


Follow the link bellow and hopefully you will like the site as much as I do.


http://www.nowness.com/day/2011/2/23?ecid=ema1452

"Success is often achived by those who don't know that failiure is inevitable"

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but someone."

                                          -Coco Chanel



Fashion Non- sense!

What has happened to fashion this week? It is not just the designs in fashion week that everyone is talking about. Controversy has filled the papers this week and none of it has actually involved the clothes.

Take a look at my reminder of the top 3 stories that have filled the headlines this week.

·      Size zero… so last year?!  I don’t think so! The catwalks were filled with more ‘tooth picks’ and ‘lollypop head’ style models in fashion week after the industry went back on its promise use “healthy”  models in a bid for ‘real women.’

·     John Galliano's anti-Semitism in a famously Jewish part of Paris. Did the pressures of fashion week become all too much for the Christian Dior designer? Or is he just another Mel Gibson? That’s all the world needs, another racist!

·    The extent of the late Alexander McQueen drug habit revealed. A tell- all documentary is set to reveal McQueen’s late night calls for “vitamin substances” that would keep him up all night, and all day for a fashion show. “I’m not talking about vitamin C, I am talking about cocaine.”

Follow the links underneath to have a look at some of the articals that filled this weeks papers.

http://shooterblog.dailymail.co.uk/2011/02/london-fashion-week-2011-the-skinny-model-debate.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1360700/Alexander-McQueen-substances-help-stay-night-  New-documentary-reveals-extent-designers-drug-habit.html

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8347082/John-Galliano-suspended-by-Dior-following-arrest-over-anti-semitic-rant.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1360574/British-fashion-designer-John-Galliano-suspended-Christian-Dior-arrest-racist-tirade-couple-bar.html

Fashion week proves all too stressful for John Galliano......

Christian Dior was forced to suspend designer John Galliano after he was arrested for alleged ‘anti- Semitic’ remarks to a couple in café in Paris.

Galliano 50, was arrested in the Marais, a district of the French Capital, which has always had a large Jewish community. It was reported in the Telegraph that the designer had been “heavily drinking in a local bar” before lunching an attack on the couple.

Statements of the couple and witnesses have been taken, in which it has been said that Galliano “swore at the couple and used anti- Semitic insults before he attacked them.”

Known for his loud and outlandish sense of style and influence of French fashion, Galliano has always courted controversy through his designs or his ideas of how to dress a woman.

Born in Gibraltar, then moving to Streatham as a child, Galliano was famously quoted saying he “wants to design clothes for women that make men want to f**k them.”

In his spring/summer collection of 06’ caused huge controversy with the press and the fashion industry with his use of non- conventional models such as extremely large, tall or small people on the catwalk.

It is unclear, to whether the upcoming Christian Dior show will happen due to the suspension of their chief designer.

Fashion Sense

Look at this artical by the Daily Mail's Liz Jones. Yes she may be writing for the Daily Mail, but this woman talks sense! Follow the link bellow.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1359713/London-Fashion-Week-2011-Skeletal-models-super-sized-hypocrisy.html

So who fancies a cheeky bit of New Slang?

Hippodrome Club in Kingston is the place to be on a Thursday night!

The club offers a live gig every week from established or up coming bands. The likes of Babyshambles, The Futureheads, Foals, Casper and Rusco, The Macabees, Vampire Weekend and many more.

Last week, The Futureheads were finally able to play, after their original date was canceled due to the snow. The boys were brilliant, the crowd went wild forcing the band to play an encore.

At one point the band persuaded the crowd to all jump up and down, making a sea of happy fans bobbing along to the sounds.

They played most of the songs from their new album 'The Chaos' which is out now, but also played a few of their old songs to get the crowd pumping!

What is great about New Slang is that its not expensive! For students who love great music, but don't have the money to spend £30 plus on a night seeing their favourite artist or band then New Slang is the place to be.

A ticket cost from £6 or £7 for the gig and free entry to the club. There are special drinks offers for those of us who like a tipple or two. Its a great night, great atmosphere and affordable. All the events that I have been to I have come back feeling that my money was spent worthwhile and that the night was successful.

Well... that's everyone except Tinie Tempah, who was on for a TINY ten minutes!

New Slang is defiantly an event that I would recommend that you go to, if you fancy listening to something other than Hip Hop and Rnb.

Visit the New Slang website for more details of upcoming shows and and details.

http://www.newslangkingston.co.uk/

Kingston.. The new capital of Culture?

Kingston has never been known to be the 'Capital of Culture' but since living here for over a year now and investigating the back streets. I can tell you that Kingston has spice!



Old London Road is the perfect place to go if you would like to see a real slice of what Kingston town has to offer, its not for your Topshop tottie, who only shops at Topshop- and whose only dream is to be Phillip Green's long lost daughter. This street has character.



With the instillation of the falling red telephone boxes a few years ago, Kingston has upped its game to be more that just any old town center. The bright red boxes have now become a staple site for tourists to look out for when visiting the city, and also for endless photos in front of.



A favourite haunt of mine is 'Kingston Antiques Market'- a Narnia style shop that is like traveling back in time with all its antique and retro items. An all in one store set on three floors- the shop is a dream for those like me, who like something old rather than new.



Not only does it have antique furniture (to be expected) it is packed to the rafters with trinkets, perfumery and jewellery from the 1920s and beyond. It also has clothes, shoes, dresses and more. Its like a perfect toy box!



From the ball gowns, to the 60s gold boots, to the giant retro wall watch, Kingston Market has everything anyone who is interested in a blast from the past could need.



That's not all though......



On the top floor, there is also a Polish Cafe, which offers traditional Polish food, meals and drinks for those who are interested in trying different tastes. The meat pierogi (meat filled dumplings- similar to gnocchi) are to die for!



'Kingston Antiques Market' address is 29 Old London Road, Kingston- Just past the falling telephone boxes.

So who is the Culture Clam?

The Culture Clam is my alter-ego in which I use to investagate and explore the new fads and fixations going on in the media and culture for yesterday, today and tommorrow.

The blog will give honest and opinions and reviews on the hip new things to do around town, but here is the twist.... its not just going to be about places to go and things to see where you need pots of gold and money to do. You will not have to sell your soul to enjoy what the cities in England have to offer.

No way! Im a student! So this is a student blog, for students, with interests like mine. So if this applies to you read on to my fourth comming blogs.