Paloma Faith, Bobby Gillespie Join Vivienne Westwood Launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org

Paloma Faith, Duffy, Jools Holland, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie join Dame Vivienne Westwood + others to launch Launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org

frackingpalomafaith 

Musicians Paloma FaithDuffyJools Holland and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie have come together with campaigning celebrities including Dame Vivienne Westwood and her son, businessman Joe Corre, chef Mark Hix, double Olympic Gold Medallist rower Andrew Triggs Hodge, artist Sarah Lucas and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell to show support for the launch of MyFrackingQuestions.org by taking a selfie holding up their fracking question for Minister for Energy Matthew Hancock MP.
 
In the images released today to mark the website going live, singer Paloma Faith is pictured holding up the question: “How can you be sure that our health will not be put at risk by fracking?” The singer goes on to comment that she is “really concerned about the health risks to the population and the long-term repercussions (of fracking)”. Duffy is shown in her photo asking Mathew Hancock MP if he will attend a Talk Fracking debate to address the public’s concerns and says: “I would like to call for a National Moratorium. A ‘stop the clock’. No more intrusive fracking until we, as a country, can assess whether this is the most sustainable, economic and safest source of energy”.
 
Vivienne Westwood says: “MyFrackingQuestions.org is asking the key questions that the public has told us they want answered definitively by the current government. We are acting now to empower the next generation, preventing them from having to deal with the potentially devastating effects of fracking should it go ahead in this country – from watching the economy crash to house prices nose-diving by 25 percent. This debate belongs to the British people but without any solid and reliable information, they cannot take part in this most critical of conversations. Until these questions are answered and until there is open public debate, there can be no social license and no democratic mandate.”

In his photo Bobby Gillespie raises concerns about whether or not we can trust the government on fracking when there are clear conflicts of interest. He adds: “Why is Lord Brown allowed to advise David Cameron on energy policy when he is a major shareholder in the fracking company Cuadrilla? Isn’t this a conflict of interest? Or is corporate corruption at the heart of the British government just business as usual?” Meanwhile chef and restaurateur Mark Hix asks: ”How will you ensure fracking companies have responsibility for compensation in the event of environmental or economic damage?”

MyFrackingQuestions.org allows the public to log on and ask their fracking questions directly to the energy minister with the aim of getting the government to provide factual answers to their concerns. The website allows users to choose their three most important concerns and send these questions to Matthew Hancock MP by Twitter or email. People can also submit their own questions via the platform if they prefer. MyFrackingQuestions.org poses questions relating to health, energy security, water, climate change, conflict of interest, economic benefits and also asks Matthew Hancock MP to attend a public debate to address the concerns of the public and engage in an open and factually informed debate about fracking in the UK.

MyFrackingQuestions.org is being launched by Talk Fracking, a UK initiative to raise awareness of the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, and the government’s fast-moving plans to introduce it in the UK. Spearheaded by Dame Vivienne Westwood and her son, Joe Corre, Talk Fracking is calling for more independent debate into the potential dangers this industry holds for the UK at this critical moment, before the government’s plans go ahead, changing the UK forever.

Talk Fracking is supported by over 150 celebrities, scientists and respected organisations including Sir Paul McCartney, his daughter Stella, Yoko Ono, Helena Bonham-Carter, Jude Law, Sadie Frost, Greta Scacchi, Sir John Elliot Gardiner, Guillem Balagué, Lily Cole, Thom Yorke, Russell Brand, Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto, Lord Rea, Stephen Frears, the RSPB, The Salmon & Trout Association, Jeanette Winterson OBE,  Dietmar Hamann, Graham Norton, Nick Grimshaw, Alan Carr, Bill Bailey, Matt Lucas, Vanessa Redgrave, Gavin Turk, Noel Fielding, Sir Antony Gormley OBE, Cornelia Parker OBE, Mariella Frostrupp, Fergus Henderson, James Bolam, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore and Tracey Emin CBE RA.

Joe Corre says: “Talk Fracking has so far invited over 80 policy makers, industry figures and scientists to take part in a series of panel debates to discuss the merits of fracking in the UK. The former energy minister Michael Fallon’s email invitation was opened over 70 times. Despite this not one of them has had the courage to attend and answer the critical questions from the British public on the serious dangers this technology poses for the UK. I am astonished at the level of contempt this shows to the electorate. The ‘My Fracking Questions’ initiative offers another opportunity for the energy minister to set out his detailed answers to the questions we have gathered so far. This issue is not going to go away! It is building massive public support by the day as more people inform themselves of the risks and wake up to the fact it is happening on their doorstep. Fracking has the potential to fracture our economy, environment, health, communities and even political parties. The government should stop listening to the lobbyists, the spin-doctors and their industry friends. They need to listen to the people and realise that we are doing them a favour by facilitating the forum for them to do just that!”

 

Paloma Faith Discusses her Album Art

PALOMA FAITH WILL CURATE AN EXHIBITION OF HER ICONIC IMAGERY IN NOVEMBER

Paloma Faith, along with Album Artists, is curating an art exhibition comprising a selection of her album artwork and iconic imagery since her debut album was released in 2009. The exhibition will display stunning, limited edition and critically acclaimed images by photographers David Standish and Finlay Mackay, and live photography by Saul.

Paloma Faith

Paloma, whose striking and unmistakeable image has quickly elevated her into a style icon, has been steering the creative direction of her promotional images from the start of her career. Couture, custom made clothing, dazzling hair and makeup, have all been captured in photo form for public display to become some of the most dramatic and celebrated album art images, now available to own.

Paloma Faith. ,Art work, music

The works, range from 50 cm to 1.6 meters in length, include posters, limited edition high quality prints (signed by Paloma and the photographer), and very limited, large beautifully printed and framed photographs, also signed by Paloma and the photographer.

Paloma Faith

Paloma said

‘I am thrilled to be able to exhibit these artworks. The photographers involved are all amazing and I am so proud to have worked with them. I am extremely hands-on with my visuals, and collaborate very closely with photographers to achieve the final image.

‘In an age where we are all downloading music, it’s wonderful to be able to appreciate fully the work that goes into creating the beautiful imagery surrounding an album.’

Do_You_Want_the_Truth_or_Something_Beautiful

In the video above Paloma Faith discusses her efforts to create spectacular album art in the digital age, and her experiences with the “poetic and sensitive” David Standish compared with the “dynamic and physical” Finlay MacKay and Saul who Paloma has known since she was 18 and who she can trust to get her “right angles, which are the bane of a woman’s life.”

New_York

dress.1What is your favourite?

Celebrities Who Lie About Their Age: Is It Ever Okay To Lie About Your Age?

Jessica ChastainWe live in a society where (some) people are obsessed with age. In fact it is one of the questions people most ask when they meet me. I find this annoying and rude. As my friend Jack Bowman says, ‘Ages and wages are never discussed’.

Although I find it annoying being asked how old I am I would never lie about my age and I certainly don’t have an issue with it. Even though I seem to be marching through my twenties pretty fast! The problem I have with being asked my age, especially in a social situation, is because it is rude, and why does that person want to know? Getting older is actually a blessing. I have a friend who died when she was 16 and another when he was 22. They would have loved to have grown old. I also believe that life gets better the older you get. When I was a teenager I never felt I fitted into my own skin.

It would seem that not everyone agrees with me on this, especially celebrities. Even though actresses in their 40s are not only still being employed, but thriving, some are still lying about their age. Or being very vague about it.

I have to admit, as an actress, I sometimes think I might be wrong. One of my favourites actresses, Sandra Bullock lied about being younger!: “I lied two years ago to get this part in Love Potion #9. They said, ‘We want an older scientist.’ I go there and I say I’m 29. After a while, you have no idea how old you are because you’ve lied so many times. I always said I would never lie, but one time, when I didn’t it worked against me. So I figure you just keep them guessing.”  Nicki Minaj, Rachel McAdams, Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Lopez have also been caught lying about their age by a few years. Which makes me wonder what the point is.

In fact this magazine was the the first to notice that Paloma Faith was lying about her age, and this even resulted in her real age being reported in a recent interview with the ES Magazine. Congratulations on coming clean Paloma. Doesn’t it feel great?

Other celebrities who are lying about their age include:

Agyness Deyn knocked six years off her age: “When I decided I would really do modelling I was like 18, and I think at the time that was quite old for a new face, so we knocked off a few years,” she admitted to The Guardian in 2012. “I’m 29, I feel like that’s the age when you start to think about life. What is this all about? Who am I?”

Jessica Chastain is incredibly vague about her age as this article in HuffPo from 2011 states:  “Chastain, who is about 30 but will not disclose her exact age, grew up in northern California and dreamed of becoming an actress from about the age of 5.”  Chastain herself says, I don’t like revealing how old I am. I played a teenager in a movie recently and Brad Pitt’s wife in another so I like to think I can be any age I need to be.”

I do get her point but actors do look a certain age, and it is usually around their own. A bit of googling reveals Chastain is 36. As beautiful and stunning as she is, she does not look 16 and could not realistically play a teenager.

It is not just women lying, rapper Eminem knocked two years off his age when he was interviewed by Howard Stern. James Blunt also knocked two years off his real age and Nelly took three years off his.

Researching this article has made me feel that if I had to lie to get a part then I would seriously consider it, otherwise: what is the point?

What do you think?

 

Anna Calvi to play Summer Series at Somerset House | Music News

 

London-born singer Anna Calvi has announced she will headline the Summer Series at Somerset House, London on 12th July 2012. The show, will be Calvi’s only London show this year and will be highly anticipated following her sold out show at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in 2011 and she promises a “very special new show for this beautiful space.”

Other artists headlining the Summer Series this year include Tim Minchin, Katy B, Jill Scott, The Enemy, Temper Trap, Tindersticks, M83 and Paloma Faith.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am on Friday, 27th April

 

Add a touch of vintage to your ready-to-wear wardrobe: ShopStyle 1st Event announced.

Add a touch of vintage to your ready-to-wear wardrobe

with these top tips from Mrs Jones for SHOPSTYLE.CO.UK

Have you ever fancied adding a touch of vintage glamour to your high street party dress, but then frozen in fear when you face paying for something that smells like it has a history? How much is a fair price? What’s an investment? And what’s a mistake?

To mark the launch of ShopStyle.co.uk’s vintage styling evening with Mary’s Living & Giving (the charity shops set up by Mary Portas) and in aid of Save the Children, the UK’s leading online fashion shopping site has invited celebrity stylist Mrs Jones (clients include Rihanna, Goldfrapp and Paloma Faith) to give her top vintage shopping tips.

Mrs Jones for ShopStyle.co.uk says vintage clothes shopping can be fun but warns of the pitfalls. “Check fabrics carefully as the smallest hole will enlarge before you know it. I bought a silk dress for a video thinking I could repair it to last forever. The garment was in tatters by the time the shoot was over”.

Mrs Jones tips for vintage shopping:

Where to Shop

· The best places to get a vintage bargain are normally charity shops and boot sales. Not only are you finding some great items when shopping at a charity shop, but you’ll also be aiding those in need.

· Vintage clothing stores can be found in most major cities. They have some beautiful collections but can be pricey. This is good for people who want the vintage look but don’t want to do the searching.

· Auction web sites are great for vintage shopping. Be careful you don’t get carried away on bidding, stick to your maximum limit otherwise it’s not a bargain. Look out for bad pictures (some purposely upside down). Be sure to read the garment details. Some items look great in an image but if the fabric is synthetic polyester (unless you’re going for the 70s look), you may be disappointed when it arrives.

· Vintage fairs and festivals are becoming popular throughout the UK. You’ll find experts in vintage clothing selling their wares and whilst some pieces may be expensive, many vendors also have bargains.

How to Shop

· Don’t be put off by smells. Some bits can have a whiff of mothballs or smell a bit musty.
These can easily be removed with a trip to the dry cleaners. Although, and it is not very pleasing, body odor left on garments is one of the most difficult smells to get rid of, even with dry cleaning.

· Some old clothes and accessories such as handbags can look beautiful and very tempting but be careful as they can just disintegrate especially silk and lace. Give the garment a little test, pull the fabric in both hands and with your thumb nails give it a rub/scratch. If you see the threads of the fabric move about or crumble, leave it on the rack.

· Make sure you try things on or properly hold up to your body if you don’t like the idea of trying before cleaning. Older clothes are generally a lot smaller as people were smaller than they are now. (eg., a size 12 will usually be a size 10.)

ShopStyle.co.uk will host its first in-store event on 29th March at Mary’s Living & Giving in Notting Hill, London, in aid of Save the Children. With canapés and champagne in hand, guests will enjoy their very own vintage styling tips from Mrs Jones and take part in an amazing fashion raffle. ShopStyle.co.uk’s online style team will also be on hand to help digital fashionistas find out how to bag the best vintage and new fashion online.

WHO: ShopStyle.co.uk and Mary’s Living & Giving Shop

WHAT: Styling tips, champagne and canapés, raffles and fundraising for Save the Children

WHEN: 29th March 2012 from 6pm – 9pm

WHERE: Mary’s Living & Giving Shop (Notting Hill location)

177 Westbourne Grove

London

W11 2SB

Entry to the shopping evening is free, however there will be a small gift for all guests who show up with stylish donations of their pre-loved designer fashion or vintage pieces.

Frost will be there, we hope you will be too.

CELEBS TWEET IN SUPPORT OF DROP4DROP FOR WORLD WATER DAY

Twitter is good for so many things, but the main one is raising awareness, and this week celebrities tweeted in aid of Drop4Drop.

March 22nd was World Water Day. Rihanna, Cheryl Cole, Russell Simons, Stephen Fry, Paloma Faith and Rob Thomas have all tweeted in support of drop4drop to get clean water for all. Follow @lifewater_ and @drop4drop.

Life water is the British bottled water company founded by Simon Konecki and Lucas White. drop4drop is Life water’s charity and was also founded by Simon and Lucas.

Free Styling Session With Top Celebrity Stylist

London Fashion Week may be over but what comes after? London Fashion Weekend. Which is just as much fun. Frost is popping down there.

If you attend then make sure you get your Free Styling Session With Top Celebrity Stylist at LONDON FASHION WEEKEND WHERE

YOU CAN HAVE A FREE PERSONALISED STYLING SESSION WITH UK’S TOP CELEBRITY STYLISTS

ShopStyle.co.uk, the UK’s leading online fashion shopping site is bringing style expertise to the London Fashion Weekend 23rd to 26th February 2012 with a pop-up styling booth hosted by leading UK stylists Rebekah Roy and Fiona Doran (aka Mrs. Jones), two of the biggest British names in celebrity styling.

London fashion stylist, Rebekah Roy is known for her work with celebrities and musicians including Kate Moss, Eliza Doolittle, Billy Idol and The Feeling. She also writes regularly for Drapers online as well as penning the influential ‘Stylist Stuff’ blog.

Fiona Doran, AKA Mrs. Jones, is the stylist that designers and celebrities turn to for outré fashion and hip styling. She has collaborated with Giles Deacon, styled looks for Rihanna, Paloma Faith, Goldfrapp and designed the now legendary hooded cat suit worn by Kylie Minogue.

Rebekah and Fiona will be on hand to offer customised style tips at the ShopStyle booth. From clothes that best suit women’s body shapes and sizes to colours that complement individual skin tone, the styling team can help you understand what garments you should be purchasing when hitting the saleroom floor.

Located in the courtyard next to the catwalk entrance, visitors can come by anytime and simply schedule in an appointment or visit the LFWE concierge booth and book your private session with these leading British stylists.

· Vodafone London Fashion Weekend 23rd – 26th February 2012 at Somerset House, London

o Friday 24th February 2012: 12pm- 9pm

o Saturday 25th February 2012: 10am-7pm

o Sunday 26th February 2012: 10am-6pm

· Consumers can purchase tickets to the weekend events online www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk

· Styling sessions with Rebekah Roy and Mrs Jones are free to consumers attending LFWE and making an appointment at the ShopStyle.co.uk Pop-Up Styling Booth or at LFWE concierge desk.

London Fashion Week | Vivienne Westwood Red Label Spring- Summer 2012

On 18th September 2011 Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label Spring- Summer 2012 catwalk show took place at the historical Smithfields Market, London.

The collection was inspired by a Degas Painting of young girls watching Spartans exercising and the ancient games- with classic cuts and tailoring all taken from the Vivienne Westwood archive collections. The chalk patterns from the painting influenced the strong silver palate through the collection with the ancient look somehow transforming into a space age Barbarella which was also reflected in the hair and make-up. Tropical wool from our classics and Price of Wales checks in cotton created sharp smart suiting looks.

The show also introduced the Rainforest charity, Cool Earth, and a campaign that is very close to Vivienne’s heart- a plan to save the most vulnerable Rainforest areas by 2020.

“Cool Earth has a plan to save the Rainforest.

If we don’t save the Rainforest- Forget it!

First we saved the Rainforest.

Will they ever know we saved the planet?”

Vivienne Westwood

The Spring/Summer 2012 Red Label Fashion Show also marked the launch of an ongoing partnership between Vivienne Westwood and Sony music, enabled with the support of the British Fashion Councils- Bazaar Fashion Arts Foundation. Communicating an important message about our world’s rainforests, a limited number of Vivienne Westwood designed MP3 players, a badge that plays music, were distributed to guests at the show containing a short recording from Vivienne herself and an excerpt from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro supplied by Sony Music. This limited edition Playbutton acts as a teaser for a more extensive commercial collection to be launched in stores November/December 2011. The Playbutton is an innovative mix-tape of music that doubles up as a fun accessory. With all the typical functionality of a mini MP3 player, the Playbutton pairs the concept of a great album with the classic button for the perfect wearable way to listen to music. The Playbutton is coming soon to Vivienne Westwood stores worldwide and a select number of boutiques.

Sitting front row alongside the fashion royalty were celebrities Kelis, Pamela Anderson, Erin O’Conner, Tracey Emin, Jaquetta Wheeler, Portia Freeman, Zara Martin, Eliza Doolittle, Paloma Faith, and Sunday Girl.

Kelis (fresh from her fuax pas of accusing London of being a ‘racist’ city when she was actually insulted in Spain) chose to wear a silver blouse with a printed pencil skirt from the Autumn-Winter 2011 Gold Label collection.

Erin O’Connor chose to wear a blue wool suit with a light blue cotton shirt from the Red Label Autumn-Winter 2011 collection with silver sequin wedge shoes from the Autumn-Winter 2011 Gold Label collection.

Paloma Faith wore a Gerent sienna skirt with a Holes vest and Hunter arm warmers with sequin silver knee-high boots from the Autumn-Winter 2011 Gold Label collection.