Music: Chvrches

20 March 2013

CHVRCHES

The Scottish electropop band came fifth on the BBC's Sound of 2013 list of most promising new music talent. Chvrches - pronounced churches, the V is just to differentiate from the two - are set to have a great year ahead of them. After only two years as a band they are already gaining a strong following, recently being announced as yet another incredible act to perform at Latitude festival alongside headliners Foals and Bloc Party.
Mayberry, Cook & Doherty
After singing in different bands and dabbling in other projects - the lead singer studied law and has a masters in journalism - the band finally came together in 2011. It was after Laura Mayberry (Chvrches lead singer)was asked to sing on some demos by her producer Iain Cook and his friend Martin Doherty (Chvrches (synthesisers & vocals).
Releasing singles "Lies" and "The Mother we Share" last year it was inevitable they were going to get noticed by New Musical Express NME, the magazine ranked "Lies" at number 28 of their tracks of 2012. Set to release their new EP "Recover" on 25th March (26th in America)it's going to be a lot of people's summer anthem and a festival favourite. "Recover" is  all about giving someone that second chance, but if it fails then just pick yourself back up...if you can. I'll give you one more chance to say/ We can change our old ways/  You can take what you need/ And you don't need me. It's raw and catchy, pragmatic and to the point. Even if you don't like the electropop genre (I never have) check them out on YouTube, they've had a fair few hits from me already.

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Fashion: Do It In Denim

13 March 2013

DO IT IN DENIM

As one of the world's oldest fabrics, denim is still able to connote youth and fun continuing to be popular with the younger generation of today. Diesel, Levi's, Guess and True Religion - to name but a few - are major fashion labels that work with and manipulate the fabric to make it something new and highly fashionable. Levi Strauss describes denim as more than just a cotton fabric, 'it inspires strong opinions within the hearts of historians, designers, teenagers, movie stars, reporters and writers...an interest bordering on passion.' 

 Starting life as a humble fabric - it was mainly worn by factory workers and pioneers - the interest in denim has grown along with its price tag. In the early twentieth century it started to move away from the factories and into the 'regular' American's wardrobe, as the popularity of midwestern culture grew so did denim. Big brand Lee began working with rodeo star Turk Greenough and with the help of Turk's wife they created a more fitted jean, the boot cut was born.

 As cultures began to change in the 1950s so did the way denim was worn, it was now time for the youth to become hooked. Marlon Brando made the tight jean cool, it made the young feel fearless and adults felt afraid when they saw them - denim was even banned in some American classrooms. Levi's decided to start selling their jeans nationally and changed their products from 'overalls' to 'jeans' to keep their younger customers interested.


SYMBOL OF REBELLION


When people look back in denim's history, it is the 1960's 'Summer of Love' that sticks in their minds and the flare that was the jean of choice. With a different fit brands started to customise their denim with beading and embroidery to add a personal touch to the fabric, the era of psychedelic music, drugs and self expression was being personified with their jeans. The 1970s saw denim being brought to a wider audience, now huge in Europe and Japan brands were using celebrities to sell their products. A young Brooke Shields was the face of a provocative Calvin Klein advertisement that was banned from some television channels.

 After the excitement of denim in past decades, the 90s was a lull for even the top brands. Levi's had to shut 11 of its stores as their garments just weren't selling. But, as with every decade, along came another subculture - Hip Hop. The genre started to move into the mainstream and brought with it a fresh take on the fabric, artists such as De La Soul and Gang Starr were wearing baggy denim jeans and the youth were once again falling in loving with it.

 The 21st Century sees denim staying as popular as ever. Cut off shorts are the norm for a summer festival goer, oversized denim jackets reek of vintage 80s nostalgia and the baggy 'boyfriend' jean seems to be the fit of choice, this summer season particularly. Individuals are buying the fabric second hand and manipulating it themselves; bleaching, dip-dye and distressing are all ways to give the old fabric a fresh look.

 As long as designers keep mixing it up with denim and vintage fashion stays 'in fashion' then I think we are all going to be wearing denim for decades to come. 

Sources: www.oki-ni.com     www.levistrauss.com
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Film: The Great Gatsby

12 March 2013

The Great Gatsby


 The eagerly-anticipated Baz Lurhmann take on the classic F. Scott Fitzgerald book has been announced as the opener for the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, taking place in May. Originally scheduled for release in December 2012 the film was pushed back to allow Lurhmann to perfect it, this news brings great recognition to his hard work and there is no doubt amongst critics the film is going to be a huge hit.

 Set in 1922 - the era of jazz, wealth and unladylike looseness - The Great Gatsby follows the journey of would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) as he leaves Midwest America heading for the bright lights of New York City. The 30-year-old Yale graduate and World War 1 veteran soon becomes enraptured with the world of the filthy rich - along with the deceit and corruption - as he moves in next door to the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio). As soon as he starts living in this elusive world he puts pen to paper and tells the tale of impossible love and long-shot dreams.

The film will not only be popular with classic film fanatics and lovers of Lurhmann and Fitzgerald. It is the fashion followers among us who will fall in love with this adaptation, myself included. The gorgeous Carey Mulligan plays Daisy Buchanan, a shallow and self absorbed flapper girl, and it is Mulligan who wows with the costumes in the romantic drama. Most were custom made by Miuccia Prada or taken from the Prada archive and the jewellery came from Tiffany & Co so expect all the shimmering glamour of the roaring 20's.

 Set for release in May, The Great Gatsby is the must see film of 2013.
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