Clothes Show London (and a tour around the world)

I love London. And what a weekend to venture to the capital city. The hottest weekend of the year and that isn't even mentioning the abs on show at Clothes Show London, courtesy of the male models strutting their stuff down the catwalk at Earl's Court on Saturday.

So thanks to the said models and my dear PR-mogul friend who got us in for free (VIP much?), my weekend in London was rather enjoyable.

The second year of Clothes Show London took place at a venue most known for hosting the Brits, but this weekend it was filled with stalls, a catwalk stage and an array of tempting fashions for anyone's taste. Many vintage boutiques from the City showcased their stock as well as more mainstream stores such as Punkyfish. There were more than a few free samples to be had along the way too, including a cheeky Martini at 10am.

Father and son duo George and Larry Lamb hosted the show and presented performances from new band The Wanted.

The catwalk showed up and coming trends for Autumn/Winter 10 and took the audience on a journey around the fashion globe with stop offs in Tokyo, New York, Paris, Rome and of course London.

Hair and make-up was done by Benefit and Rush for Loreal.

Here are some shots from the show, more to come.

Sex and the Abu Dhabi

Sex and the City 2; Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, Charlotte, you did me proud.


Having read Polly Hudson's review of the second SATC film, I was a little apprehensive about my reaction to the sequel, but just like a Carrie cosmo, it went down a treat.


The clothes, the luxury, the sex, the celebrity appearances (I never thought I'd see Liza Minelli singing single ladies) and the funny one-liners all showed that there is some sex left in the city, even after over ten years on our screens. Although, the girls spent most of the film in Abu Dhabi, escaping the stress of their lives and rediscovering aspects of themselves along the way, the plot, the morals and the power of love and friendships were all heart-warming and testiment to the true love for SATC.


Some of the film's plot was a bit far fetched and there were parts where disbelief spawned, but that's what it is all about really, isn't it? The foursome escaped their own lives and we escaped with them.


Camp went even more camp as Carrie's and Charlotte's best gay friends tied the knot, Miranda learned the real value of being a mother in the smaller things that she does for Brady, Charlotte also learns a lot more about motherhood and feels like she got more than she bargained for and Carrie and Samantha, well are just good old Carrie and Samantha; sex, sex and more sex, oh and oh so great clothes.


The clothes were fabulous. The fashions were different and more extravagant than the first movie blockbuster, but there was a certain lacking in 'wow' moments. The girls wear a lot of Halston vintage, some old classics like Carrie's vintage Dior tabloid dress and Charlotte's Chanel accessories and the film even features them wearing full black burkhas.


The birth place of the show, New York City didn't really feature much and the escapism to the Middle East came with hilarious consequences (including a camel toe and an arrest for inappropriate sexual behaviour). Liberated and modern women may have toyed with Abu Dhabi but I think I do prefer the thrills and drama of the Empire State. For me, sex can definitely stay in the City.

A Precious tale of Hollywood's underworld

Last month saw the release of Precious, a story of real-life, down and dirty hardship that Hollywood so often ignores. Based on the novel, Push by Sapphire, director Lee Daniels brings to the screen a tale so moving and thought-provoking that even after the credits roll, it will not leave you for hours.


Set in the 1980s Harlem, New York, the film follows the heart-wrenching story of illiterate Claireese Precious Jones, a 16 year old who is physically and emotionally abused by her mother, in almost slave-like natures and sexually abused by her drug-addict father by whom she has had two children. Precious is suspended from school for being pregnant with her father’s child and sent to attend an alternative school where she meets teacher Blu Rain (Paula Patton) who helps her tell her story and outrun the tortures of her home life.

The plot is something that cannot easily be ignored. The shocking nature of the story is something which both awes and disgusts audiences. Precious can be described as rough, emotive, unsettling and heart-rending, but the most prominent part of the film is the ray of hope that it exudes. Precious takes you on a journey, a tough journey of love, hate, depression, shock, anger and disbelief. Hope is what brings the film to life. Young ladies who watch this film will no doubt be moved and inspired by the life and profound determination of its lead character.

New star, Gabourey “Gabby” Sedibe debuts her acting career as the lead role in this film, which was first shown at the Sundance Festival. Sedibe embodies the emotional conflict of her character exceptionally. A career defining role, Sedibe may find it difficult to outshine herself from this role, to most audiences she will remain as Precious.

The best thing about Sedibe is her innate ability to slide into the role of Precious without any compatibility problems and without any awkwardness from the first scene in. Sedibe tells the story of Precious, with included voice over narration, in such a captivating way that it leaves trails of sentiment after each subtly empowering monologue scene.

Critics have accused Precious of ‘ramming ideas of hardships of this culture and lifestyle down the audience’s throat’, but Precious is a wake-up call to those Hollywood happy-go-lucky tales of high-flying, high-wage lifestyles which too often grace our screens. It is the tale of life on the other side of the rainbow.

Showing in cinemas from 29 January, Precious shines new light on some famous faces. Executive directed by Oprah Winfrey, roles in the film are played by comedienne and talk-show host Mo’Nique, who plays Precious’ abusive mother, Mariah Carey (who looks decidedly plain), playing a social worker who helps Precious talk about her story, and Lenny Kravitz who plays a very small role as a nurse.

Mo’Nique delivers a performance that allows her humour-ridden background to fade away. She plays the good-for-nothing mother,who admittedly hates her daughter, Precious,  for having sex with her husband. Mo’Nique’s performance is seamless and characterized wonderfully into a character who the audience innately loathe from take one.