Last year I completed work experience at The Huffington Post, writing for their Young Voices team. A profile complete with my articles for them can be seen here.
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Fashion Journalism// Top Trends From The Oscars
With the 88th annual Academy Awards AKA the Oscars comes the red carpet full of enough couture dresses for the heart to swoon over for days. As always there were the hits, the misses, and some out right but crazy but we have to admit nearly every dress has left a mark one way or another.
The Slits
Whilst it might have been Angelina Jolie Pitt who first dared to bare and started the trend for slit dresses it seems this year everyone wanted to give it a try. Rachel McAdams opted for emerald silk by August Getty Atelier, and in an alike attempt Sophie Turner showed off in silver. Rooney Mara went one ahead with her Givenchy gown with not only a high thigh slit but a cut-out front also. Keeping it classy Jennifer Garner suggested the slit in her Versace dress but did well to keep the leg reveal under control.
The Pastels
Pastels are going to be huge this spring as a number celebrities went for something far softer than the dramatic dresses we usually see. Cate Blanchett ticked all the boxes with her Armani Privé gown, which was adorned with a floral trim spiraling down. Keeping it simple debut Daisy Ridley wore Couture Chanel in blue gray. Our favourite has to be Emily Blunt, who highlighted her adorable bump in a rose Prada slip, which accentuated her wonderful glow. Meanwhile Heidi Klum was a stark warning of how pastels can go wrong with her lilac frock in chiffon by Marchesa. Part nightie, part fairy godmother all we know is chiffon dresses are not for the red carpet.
The Lace
Never one to fail to impress Jennifer Lawrence’s black Couture Dior gown wowed us all as she stepped away from her usual colour. Corset boning, a hot trend for 2016 if Prada is anything to go by, flattered her body even further before the lace skirt and trial added the final wow factor. Rooney Mara hits this trend too as her custom made Givenchy number recapped the lingerie-esq theme from Givenchy’s Spring Show.
The Dress That Wasn’t Actually A Dress
Lady Gaga never ceases to amaze us after it turned out her gorgeous gown by Brandon Maxwell was actually part jumpsuit. The cream silk-crêpe-and-neoprene confection had appeared tight down below in some angles before she stunned everyone by revealing a wide-legged jumpsuit beneath the 18th-century style open robe gown.
Fashion Journalism// From floral frocks to cerise Choos – Liberty through the decades
Painted bright pink the Fashion and Textile Museum is nearly as hard to miss as Liberty’s Tudor themed monochrome exterior. With the infamous brand turning 140 it’s hardly a surprise they are the latest to feature
Tracing the history of the notorious “liberty print” visitors travel through time decade-by-decade – discovering how fashion has evolved since the store first opened its doors.
From classic Victorian ballgowns to interwar fashion – with dark prints preferred in the 1920s and pastel taking over in the 1930s the brands renowned style begins to take form.
It was during the 1950s that the Liberty Design Studio was established and with it came the art nourveau revival. The style had become unfashionable since the war but when they trademarked the “lotus” collection everyone wanted in on the newer shocking colours.
Upstairs the 1960s reveal more leg than ever before, inspired by Mary Quants “miniskirt”. Liberty’s fabric was regularly used in boutique stores throughout the decade and well into the 1970s when the boho look began to grow.
Interestingly there is rather little concerning the 1980s or 1990s – where are the shoulder pads and pointed bras? Perhaps this is a nod to their difficult period in which they were forced to close all of its stores outside London in 1996.
The new millennium gives the exhibition a breath of fresh air as Nike trainers and Jimmy Choos replace the dresses and a female model even rocks a suit.
For someone interested in fashion it’s well worth a visit but if you’re after more about the department store this probably isn’t the place. Save for a timeline on one wall the curators have done well to hide Liberty’s biggest failures and instead blind visitors with all the pretty prints.
The exhibition runs at the Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street SE1 3XF, until the end of the month. £9 adults/£7 concessions/£6 students. Nearest tube station London Bridge on the Northern and Jubilee lines. www.ftmlondon.org
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Labour’s Jim McMahon Wins Oldham West By-Election
Despite reports suggesting UKIP could win the Oldham West and Royton’s by-election Labour’s candidate, Jim McMahon, won the seat.
Words: Daisy Greenaway
Following a close-call campaign and an election in which just 40% of the electorate voted Labour managed to hold on to the seat, which was held by the late Michael Meacher from 1970 until his death in October.
Jim McMahon had served on the Oldham Council since November 2003 and received an OBE in the 2015 Birthday Honours for “services to the community in Oldham”.
Labour won the seat by 10,000 more votes than UKIP, who took second place.
Speaking to the BBC following the results McMahon confirmed that had he been able to vote on the Syrian airstrikes he would of been against the government.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted following the results:
Congrats @CllrJimMcMahon who has won the Oldham West & Royston by-election & increased our share of vote since May pic.twitter.com/33StYkyBzx
— Jeremy Corbyn MP (@jeremycorbyn) December 4, 2015
Many saw this by-election as a test on Corbyn himself, especially following his defeat in commons yesterday. The BBC had previously referred to the event as “Jeremy Corbyn’s first test at the ballot box”.
The UK Independence Party, which was believed to make a close second, did far worse than expected. Members of UKIP have been quick to blame Labour of sabotage and of vote fixing – including UKIP leader Nigel Farage:
There had been no other suggestions of votes being fixed at this time.
Is Tony Benn “Spinning In His Grave” Over Hillary Benn’s Speech?
As the UK begins to carry out airstrikes in Syria, it was not just the Labour Party that was split, but family members too. Hillary Benn’s speech will go down in history, but how do his views differ to his father’s?
Words: Daisy Greenaway, Subeditor: Corey Armishaw
Yesterday’s speech by Hillary Benn will arguably go down in history after he received applause from both benches regarding his emphatic appeal on why the UK needed to get involved in Syria. However it is not just the speech alone that caused a stir, but rather how his views differ to that of his late father Tony Benn – who strongly opposed the war in Iraq.
Four generations of the Benn family have sat in Parliament, always on behalf of Liberals or Labour, but it was Tony Benn’s strong socialist views that won the family fame. The term “Bennite” came into use as opposed to “Blairite” when referring to those with radical left-wing views. Benn was also described as “one of the few UK politicians to have become more left-wing after holding ministerial office”. He went on to become President of the Stop the War Coalition from 2001 until his death in 2014.
Stop the War Coalition, of which Jeremy Corbyn was chair for four years until elected as Labour Leader in September, had strongly opposed the bombings in Syria and organised a number of protests.
It seems sides are split on whether Tony Benn would be proud of his son’s speech in commons or not. However it’s hard to disagree, his speech was moving regardless of if you agreed, or not.
You can see both of the speeches below, and if you look closely you’ll see a familiar face beside both men.
MPs Vote In Favour Of Syrian Airstrikes
MPs have voted by 397 to 223 to authorise air strikes in Syria, against the Islamic State group ISIS.
Words: Daisy Greenaway
A 10-hour debate took place in commons today in which both sides made clear arguments and it became no one would be taking this issue lightly.
Prime Minister, David Cameron, claimed the decision to attack the “medieval monsters” of IS would “keep our country safe”.
Opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, argued the case for war “does not stack up” – however his own party was split over the issue with senior Labour figures voting with the government.
It is believed 67 Labour MPs, including a number of members of the shadow cabinet, voted for the airstrikes after Corbyn agreed to give them a free vote.
The speech of the night went to Hilary Benn, Shadow Foreign Secretary, son of the infamous Tony Benn. Benn was applauded by MPs from both benches as he urged Labour to “confront this evil” posed by ISIS, who he said “held our democracy in contempt”.
He continued by saying the international community was “faced by fascists and what we know about fascists is that they must be defeated”.
Former leader Ed Miliband was among Labour MPs to vote against whilst once acting-leader Harriet Harman voted for.
The Scottish National Party, which strongly opposed any military action, said it was disappointed and it feared the outcome would lead “to Iraq and Libya all over again”.
A full list of the MPs and which way they voted has now been published.
Bombing raids will begin “as soon as practical”.
Don’t Let Them Freeze: Refugees Welcome Here Rally
Protesters gathered outside Downing Street as part of Stand up to Racism’s “Refugees Welcome Here” campaign, demanding the government do more to help.
Words: Daisy Greenaway, Subeditor: Corey Armishaw
Following the government’s decision to allow 20,000 refugees into the UK by 2020, demonstrators took to the streets last night, urging Cameron to take action. As winter closes in, the struggle for refugees only worsens as they now face freezing temperatures, making travelling by sea even more dangerous. The organisation Stand up to Racism believes the government can and should be doing more to help, instead of donating millions to build fences across Europe to keep them out.
During the rally, they encouraged attendees to buy badges and send postcards to Cameron (pictured below) which plea with the Prime Minister to find compassion and help those in need. We are all human. They had asked demonstrators to bring candles but it appeared not many followed this suggestion, although this could have been due to the windy weather which made keeping candles alight a challenge.
The rally itself was part of a number events – last week Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke at a pro-refugee rally in Camden.
Towards the end of the night, the movement was joined by the Democratic Unity of Community Association, who were raising awareness of the Turkish atrocities against the Kurds; Upon arrival they also chanted “Refugees Welcome”. The night was entirely peaceful and police merrily chatted with gatherers, a far cry from the riots officers witnessed last week.
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn Speaks At “Refugees Welcome Here” Rally
Last night Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn joined a panel of speakers for “Refugees Welcome Here” rally by Stand Up To Racism, to discuss how we can help and why the government won’t.
Words: Daisy Greenaway, Subeditor: Corey Armishaw
Jeremy Corbyn has openly declared his support for refugees in the past – the very same day he won the Labour leadership contest he attended the rally pictured above. Therefore it comes as no surprise that he spoke at the Refugees Welcome Here rally held at the Camden Centre, November 4th. Organised by the group Stand Up To Racism, guest speakers also included Deputy Green Party leader Shahrar Ali, comedian Francesca Martinez, author Owen Jones, and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Diane Abbott.
In response to the refugee crisis the UK government has agreed to take in 20,000 people by 2020; Last year they took in just 216 Syrian refugees. They claim that as a nation we simply can’t afford to open the borders, yet we somehow afford to build fences to keep people out. As winter approaches, charities have warned that “people are literally freezing to death”. Boats will become even more dangerous as temperatures drop, with anyone swimming likely to develop hypothermia. There is no shelter from the cold, but instead of sending blankets we are sending barbed wire.
The response from the Labour leader was simple, “We’re here because we care. We’re here because we believe in people. We’re here because we want to see a world at peace not at war. We’re here because we’re part of a decent, strong humanitarian movement that really does believe everybody matters, whatever country they’re from”. A vigil, “Don’t Let Them Freeze“, has been organised for November 12 outside of Parliament in an attempt to open the governments hearts to the suffering faced by millions across the world.
London Student Protests Turn Violent After “Grants Not Debt” March Clashes With Police
Student protests have a tendency to turn sour but should we simply dismiss their message because of a few scuttles? When thousands turn up to demonstrate there is clearly something that needs to be looked at.
Words: Daisy Greenaway, Subeditor: Mariya Savova
The “grants not debt” demonstration, organised by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, involved students from all across the UK. They all campaigned for free tuition following the governments decision to scrap grants for the poorest students. Without said grants it has been estimated that 1/3 of students currently receiving them would have been unable to continue their education. Opposition to the cuts accuse the government of attacking the working class. Chants of “education should be free not just for the bourgeoisie” were popular throughout the day.
Students from Aberdeen and Edinburgh universities joined the march, having arrived that morning after travelling down on an overnight bus. Even though Scottish students have free tuition fees they decided to show solidarity and protested alongside those paying £9000 a year.
One student, Finley, said: Attacks on education from this government are… grants – these are essential for people having an access to education and access to education is a very fundamental right. So, in order for education to be accessible, it needs to be free. Not only does there need to be no tuition fees, but students also need grants without getting tens of thousands of pounds into debt”.
Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, opened the march with a speech supporting the protesters and said: “This will be a peaceful demonstration. Stay safe and make sure the politicians know that we’re not going to stand for this anymore. Education is a basic human right. It is not something to be bought and sold. This generation will teach these Tories that we will not stand by and allow them to destroy your futures.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also furthered his support (he was previously photoed holding a sign advertising the event) by demanding the abolition of tuition fees, in a statement read out at the rally. During the march Green Party leader Natalie Bennett was also spotted.
The march was planned to set off from Malet Street – the heart of the University of London, pass the West End – popular with tourists, pause at Parliament – where the cuts were passed, continue onto the Home Office – as part of their pro-refugee stance, and then conclude at the Business, Innovation, and Skills (BIS) building – it is here privatisation takes place.
However, protesters then continued the march after being kettled by police and took Victoria Street despite traffic risks. From then on their movements greatly varied as they attempted to avoid further kettling by splitting, taking side streets, and then regrouping.
The protest resulted in 12 arrests for public order offences. According to Scotland Yard, paint was thrown by a “small group of protesters” outside the Home Office. It has been estimated that there were about 2000 officers patrolling the event. However, when scuffles broke out in some cases police lines were only one deep. Initial reports claim police were unarmed but a number were seen with battons. There were also accusations of police using “kettling” techniques to trap protesters, which they have denied – nonetheless, this was witnessed firsthand and students were heard chanting “plenty of kettles but not enough tea”. During the scuffles chants also included “you’re sexy, you’re cute, take off your riot suit” and “shame on you, don’t your kids need uni too?”
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