Tag Archives: photographer

The Improve Rooms | Events

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Ever felt that what you need in your life is a little burst of inspiration from an expert? Step in The Improve Rooms at Fitzroy Square. This was a one day event that I am hoping comes back permanently.

I went along with my friend Holly and the first thing we did was grab some cocktails. We then go and watch expert nutritionist Madeleine Shaw make zucchini noodles to go with a delicious salad. Being healthy never tasted so amazing. Madeleine is incredibly knowledgeable and makes healthy living fun.

We had an amazing chat with fashion stylist Grace Woodward, who you might recognise from Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model. Grace is heavily pregnant but has dressed so smart I didn’t even notice. She looks brilliant in black with a white cardigan, heels(!), great jewellery and stunning eye make up.

Grace talks about sitting next to Elle MacPherson during Next Top Model, “I felt huge”, how she loves what Kate Middleton wears but how she always gets the shoes wrong, “Those wedges when she came out of the hospital…”, we talked about publishing, how much it has changed and the shift away from print and she also talked about how she put the concept of her Improve Room together; “Summer is over in fashion, it’s done, we are already in Autumn”. Grace, Holly and I had a really good natter while cocktails and canapes are brought to us. You really can’t ask for more than that.

improve rooms, the improve rooms, sure improve rooms, sure, grace woodward, kate middleton, johny pitts,

We move on to photographer Johny Pits and we talk about selfies as Holly is writing an article on them. Johny is very articulate and gives good debate. We learn a lot about photography and also talk about portfolio careers.

We also talk about the Sure deodorant. The compressed cans have as much in them as bigger cans only they are smaller bottles. Got that? They come in new scents; cotton, clear aqua and bright. I have some in my goody bag which should last me a while.

I had a great time at the Improve Rooms. Here’s hoping they do more.

 

Photographer Felix Kunze On the Road in Scotland

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‘On the Road’ – a collection of sombre landscapes from the northwest coast of Scotland – more here

Scotland, pictures of scotland, felix

Tartuffe | Theatre Review

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Tartuffe and ElmireSinner or saint, the character of Tartuffe certainly divides opinion.

 

To Orgon, the master of the manor, he is the epitome of piousness, yet to his family, he is nothing more than a vagabond taking advantage of people’s good nature.

 

With his reputation tainted and restored at every turn in the opening scene, the audience is eager to pass their own judgement on Tartuffe but his stalled introduction to the stage acts as a clever device to build the mystery.

 

Orgon’s mind is possessed by Tartuffe and he intends his daughter Mariane to marry him (though she’s already promised to wed Valère), and he even signs over the deeds of his estate to the former beggar.

 

The cheeky glint in Tartuffe’s eyes when he makes his grand entrance further enforces his view of ‘a secret sin is no sin at all’ as he commits the ultimate betrayal by confessing his love to Orgon’s wife Elmire.

 

When the family try to expose his scheming nature, the play comes over a little ‘carry on’ as they hide behind curtains and under tables to catch him out.

 

But once his deceit is unveiled to Orgon, it’s too late as the family’s ordered out of the estate which now belongs to Tartuffe.

 

At each stage, Dorine the maid oversteps the boundaries of her role but gains the trust of the audience as she gives each member of the family honest advice with a touch of flirtatious charm. Played by Katherine Rodden, she was the unexpected the star of the show.

 

Jeremy Gagan convincingly plays Tartuffe and his command of expression in scenes of deceit against those highlighting his virtue are performed with charisma.

 

A modern adaptation by Paradigm Theatre Company of the 17th Century theatrical comedy by Molière, Tartuffe was presented in the intimate surroundings of the Canal Café Theatre in Little Venice.

 Dorine and Mariane

The audience seating area is cleverly used as an extension of the stage, with the characters often mingling among the crowd and eavesdropping on the conversations taking place just overhead.

 

With a comedic value in the form of Dorine, the betrayal of a committed friend and with a heart-warming twist at the end, Tartuffe (artistically directed by Sarah Pitard and directed by Cat Robey) ticks all the boxes. And by no means a criticism, the cast should possess a little more confidence to balance their abilities.

 

Tartuffe runs till Sat 27 Apr 2013, with tickets for the 7pm show Tue-Sat costing £12 and for the 3pm Sat performance, it’s £10. To book tickets, visit www.canalcafetheatre.com and for more information, visit www.paradigmtheatrecompany.co.uk.

Photo credit: Jon Bradshaw


Luke Johnson backs the team behind The Food Awards Company

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LukeJohnsonLooking for some inspiration? Anyone who wants to start a business or new venture will find something in this story: A Radio 4 programme on a wet autumn afternoon in 2011 started a flow of events that resulted in the successful launch of one award in 2012 and two more are now following in 2013. The first, Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year, attracted over 3,000 entries from across the world in year one. Headline sponsor Pink Lady® Apples is now committed for a further five years. This is a great achievement for the enterprising team working out of a potting shed in Lincolnshire!

 

The bottom line

Caroline Kenyon was listening to Radio 4’s ‘The Bottom Line’ presented by Evan Davis one autumn afternoon when she took action. Luke Johnson was being interviewed and it struck her that he could be the right person to help her idea to take shape. After 12 years developing a successful PR and Events business focusing on the food sector, she felt that there was a need for niche awards delivered with flair and originality. After emails, telephone calls, meetings and business plans, Luke Johnson was also convinced and wanted to be involved. It is 12 months since Evan Davis played cupid and The Food Awards Company began. The awards are a culmination of 25 years experience and an ambition to create something with longevity and real purpose. “These awards will, I hope, still be running in 50 years’ time,” says Caroline Kenyon. This concept is now a very real and successful business.

 

From law to food via journalism…

Caroline was about to embark on a career at the Bar following Law at Cambridge, but after a year of travel and an article in the Evening Standard, her direction changed. The years of studying law were put behind her as she began freelance writing combined with waitressing and selling boxer shorts to off-duty bankers in a Fulham boutique on a Saturday, alongside now BAFTA-winning television director, Hugo Blick and his producer wife Elinor. Her writing led to her becoming editor of the Traveller Magazine where she worked with great names such as Ranulph Fiennes and Edmund Hillary. Then a move to Lincolnshire and the birth of her son Henry started on direction number two – helping local food businesses with their PR.

Twelve years later, Kenyon Communications has been responsible for running the British Pie Awards, East Midlands Food & Drink Festival, Lincolnshire in London and worked on many successful PR campaigns such as Yes Peas! and Totally Traditional Turkeys. The team also work with the acclaimed chef, Rachel Green. During this time Caroline has built up a team of eight – all working from the potting shed in her garden and with eclectic backgrounds, including working as promotions manager to Bryan Adams and being responsible for business development with the Orient Express – throw in a karate black belt and you have exciting people to work with! This team has combined to deliver numerous awards and events for clients, so they are now working to build The Food Awards Company. They believe strongly in the business and are working on a profit share basis – all sharing the work and the rewards.

Caroline commented; “The idea had been bubbling in my head for a while and as with all ideas the exciting part is bringing them to life. Fortunately for me my idea has been backed by a man who has implemented many of his own extremely successfully and I hope can spot a good one! I also have a fantastically hard-working and fun team to work with – they are helping us to make this happen at a faster speed than I initially anticipated.”

Photography and bread combined with an enterprising spirit

The first award was designed to highlight the previously not recognised art of food photography, Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year. Images came in from across the globe with categories such as Cream of the Crop, Food Portraiture, Food in the Street, Food for Celebration and a chance for the under 18’s with the Young Photographer section. With judges including Sheila Dillon, Alex James and Henry Dimbleby – the glamorous 2012 presentation took place at the Mall Galleries last April. For 2013 the aim is to have 10,000 entries and so far they are on target. The headline sponsor is Pink Lady® Apples, other key sponsors are Champagne Taittinger and Errazuriz Wines with money also being raised for Action Against Hunger. The second awards celebrate the rise of artisan bread-making – the Tiptree World Bread Awards are now open for entries and the winners will be announced at a harvest supper style event in the autumn. The third award is all-encompassing across the food sector – Food and Drink Entrepreneur of the Year. This is an idea in development and the hunt is on for the right partner to support enterprise in this dynamic sector. We will always need to eat. New and exciting foods are constantly being innovated – this means that Caroline and her creative team at The Food Awards Company will keep thinking of new ideas and ensure that these tasty businesses are recognised for their skill, expertise and overall deliciousness!

 

Luke Johnson explained why he decided to be part of this new business that is setting out to highlight the best in specific niche sectors; “I really liked the idea of this from the outset,” says the serial food entrepreneur known for building the Pizza Express empire in the 90’s and former Chairman of Channel 4, now owner of Giraffe restaurants, Patisserie Valerie, Gail’s Artisan Bakery among many others. “People love awards, and niche awards which celebrate something specific are even more appealing.”

Olga Roh For Rohmir Review | Fashion

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Olga Roh’s Autumn/ Winter’ 13 collection ‘Mountain High” for ROHMIR, offered a
range of classy monochrome jumpsuits, cotton-fringed jackets and detailed leather
skinnies. Models in sophisticate suits with cinched in waists and multi colored sheer
evening gowns glided down the catwalk to a soundtrack of rapid percussion. The
collection showcased a variety of colors mirroring the landscape of an Alpine retreat;
a sea of navy, a branch of crème with a light sprinkle of monochrome (which has been
seen a lot on the catwalk this season by Marc Jacobs).

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The collection had a variety from casual, business wear ending in the eye-catching
eveningwear. Any fashionista would kill for Olga’s breath-taking multi colored body con
maxi; it’s back is low cut which oozes just the right amount of sex appeal. Another stand
out was the forest green feathered coat chinced with a leather corset belt- this will give
every lady the illusion of an hourglass figure. Olga said,

“My clothes express reality… “I
wanted the collection to have a holiday feel, that’s why it’s called ‘Mountain High.’
“All models were different, not every model was the standard skinny model your
accustomed to seeing on catwalks, not all were young either; a famous German actress
wore my dress to show that my collection is suitable for difference, size, heights and
ages.”

There was a theatrical effect to Olga’s catwalk, it radiated energy with evidence of Swan
Lake inspirations; feathered coats, smoky eyes and neatly plated backcombed hair.
Velvet dresses with low drop waist sequined dresses had a 20s feel with a modern day
edge.

Floor-length gowns with plunging necklines in sumptuous fabrics were accompanied
with embellished lace and scintillating metallics. Silk patterned dress with fringes, one
shouldered dresses and shoulder pads reminisced on the early days of the 90s. The
romantic allure of the fairy-tale inspired eveningwear is balanced with androgynous
silhouettes and contemporary twangs. Each piece detailed to perfection offered a
balance between luxury and the wearable.

 

Article written by Joanna Zambas
Photography by Vanessa Isabel Lanzoni

Looking for some fashion inspiration? Italian Fashion: Alessandro Zuletti Shoot

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Photographer: Alessandro Zuletti.
Location: Vicenza, Italy
Theme: Buildings from Andrea Palladio (30 November 1508 – 19 August 1580) who was an Italian architect widely considered the most influential individual in the history of western architectrue.
All Photos were taken arround his buildings, or in them, in honour of the reopening of the Cathedral of Vicenza.
Models: Valora Kendra Roucek & Sara Chelucci
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Underwater Wonders On Show In Rain Forest Of The Sea

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A new photographic exhibition at the Horniman Museum & Gardens captures the underwater wonders of the coral triangle. Rainforest of the Sea (opening 9 March) features stunning photographs of sea creatures in Borneo, and highlights the diversity of coral reefs, as well as the threats facing one of the world’s richest habitats.

04_Green Turtle_Chelonia mydas

Marine biologist and photographer Jamie Craggs worked without the aid of digital photography to create the series of striking underwater shots – from a turtle silhouetted against an azure sky, to close encounters with a longhorn cowfish, a bumblebee shrimp and a hairy squat lobster.

 

Jamie says: ‘Coral reefs are often called the “rainforest of the sea” because, like rainforests, they are one of the most biologically diverse habitats on the planet. These photos weren’t taken with an exhibition in mind, but the threats to this amazing underwater world are so great that I wanted the images to do some good. I hope Rainforest of the Sea will not only show visitors the beauty and wonder of the coral reef and its creatures, but also raise awareness of the importance of protecting them for the future.’

 

Jamie has worked on coral reef expeditions in the Philippines, as an underwater cameraman in Borneo and as a professional aquarist in the UK. He is currently the Aquarium Curator at the Horniman, overseeing a collection of 2,500 live specimens from 150 aquatic species. He specialises in coral biology and is working with international organisations to conserve coral reefs and better understand the impact human life has on these fragile and globally important habitats.

 

Rainforest of the Sea opens at the Horniman Museum & Gardens open now. Entry to the exhibition is free.

100 London Road   T: 020 8699 1872

Forest Hill          www.horniman.ac.uk

London SE23 3PQ

Sonic Editions: Impossibly Cool Photography

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Sonic Editions produces limited edition, rare, photographic prints of iconic figures throughout time. It’s everyone from Audrey Hepburn through to Jay-Z. There’s some great shots of the likes of Michael Jackson, Sophia Loren, Michael Caine, Al Pacino and Clint Eastwood

The Sonic Editions team has visited the Getty archives in LA and went through 2,000,000 images or so to pull out some totally unseen images.

These specific images are limited to fifty of each and they start from £69. Each image is numbered so that they know what number they own, as well as containing details about the photographer and when it was shot.