Demur Magazine Revival - May 2016 by Demur Magazine

May 2016

Revival

CONTENTS

Demur Magazine

04 - Demur Picks 06 - A Day at the Races 08 - HEALTHY FOOD PORN 10 - IN SEARCH OF A REAL CZECH EXPERIENCE IN PRAGUE? 11 - Additional Emergency Relief to Ethiopia 16 12 - Recycled Runway 18 - MUSIC WITH FIVE GRAND STEREO 20 - REVIVAL 36 - Jamie Laing & Ed Williams invite you to CANDY KITTENS 38 - IBIZA FASHION FESTIVAL 39 - The Plateu

11 06

Contributors Noreen Chada - Editor

Shirley Dee- Fashion Editor Kay Samuel- Features Editor Nicole Samoto â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Social Editor D'zynmax - Layout Design Visit us at: www.demur.co Facebook: DemurMagazine Twitter: DemurMagazine Instagram: DemurMagazine TV:www.youtube.com/DemurMagazine Email: info@demur.co Demur Magazine is a FREE magazine distributed in London, Birmingham & Manchester. You can also access Demur from your tablet.

Demur Picks Ventilator Trainers – Reebok -£59.99

Marylebone Classic Range Watch – Ma-Ga London - £89.99

Skin Tone Tights – Bianca Miller London - £12.00

Patterned Bomber Jacket – H&M £24.99

Vodka – Sauvelle £44.99

Water Glass Lemon Infuser Bottle – Full Circle - £20.00

Demur Magazine

Instant Look In a Palette – Charlotte Tilbury - £49.00

USB Travel Plug – The Conran Shop – £20.00

Peekaboo Clutch – Bando - £26.00

Gia – Tanya Elizabeth £60.00 Ikaria Black Rubber Sandals – Ancient Greek Sandals - £60.00

Superfood Repair Oil – Nails Inc - £15.00

A Day at the Races

with Indie Designers from the Nolcha Shows.

Racing season is upon us and with the Royal Ascot Festival just around the corner, the Nolcha Shows know your style is as important as the race itself. We are highlighting independent fashion designers straight from the Nolcha runway to make sure you stand out during Ladies Day, come rain or shine! 01

1. Danilo Gabrielli: Unique in sentiment, dramatic in design and luxurious in quality, this Danilo Gabrielli metallic dress has been created to make women feel elegant and confident.

2. Leka: Strive for beauty and perfection with this belted trench coat with two front pockets and khaki chiffon buttoned half sleeves from Leka. A perfect touch to your Ladies Day outfit for a chilly British day.

3. Marshelly’s Jewelry: These 18k Gold Plated, sleek long earrings are sure to put a modern and elegant touch to any outfit. Created in NYC from locally sourced material, these earrings look great and are sustainable!

4. Jody Bell: This elegant hat has been woven in Spain from natural straw and trimmed with a wonderful lace - the two tone neutral colours make this piece easy to style with a variety of outfits. The wide brim offers good protection from the sun for your face and neck, while the internal brow band ensures it sits comfortably in place. 05

6. Michelle 06 Pajak-Reynolds: Dress up any outfit with this one of a kind 18” necklace with handcrafted recycled sterling silver setting and bar and toggle clasp is both bold and elegant.

5. Oysby: The Decolette from Oysby is a chic re-vamp to the timeless pumps. She is both sexy and sophisticated–perfect for your switch from eventful days to fun evenings. Her modest cut is complemented by the signature OYSBY ‘avant-garde’ 95mm square pole heel, designed for comfort. A lovely classic that will see you through the seasons. 7. Jess Rizzuti: Spacious clutch is perfect to carry all of your essentials for a night on the town. This beautifully detailed bag from Jess Rizzuti is constructed from natural cork with gold embossed square check print and lined with a complimentary cotton print. 07

HEALTHY FOOD PORN We are in Spring which means Summer is fast approaching, which means we do not have very long to get that summer body right! Fear not, just because you are trying to get rid of some body weight it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean you have to stop eating. We give you a list of restaurants that want you to eat and eat and eat, without feeling guilty.

Andina - 1 Redchurch St, London E2 7DJ This place makes eating meat feel right when on a diet. Indulge in various delicacies on the menu from plantain chips, grilled meat and fish, fresh smoothies and who can say no to cocktails?

Ottolenghi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Various locations around London The Yotam Ottolenghi collection combines restaurants that serve up healthy eateries made from the Ottolenghi products. Choose from meat dishes on the menu that come accompanied by fresh vegetables. For the carnivore in you try the lamb rump steak with vanilla-braised chicory and sorrel pesto. You can also check out some other healthy recipes for some of their tasty dishes on their website.

Savage Salads – Various stalls around London Food on the go at its best. Now you don’t have to feel guilty ordering a take away. Savage Salads serve up some refreshing salads; it’s more than just a bit of leaf and dressing. Their queues are usually long and you will obviously understand why, once you get your generous portion. Their salad menu rotates each week, so each time you turn up you find something different to tickle your taste buds.

Redemption - 6 Chepstow Road, Notting Hill W2 5BH This spot is alcohol free. We panicked too, but then we realised you can have a good time eating out without alcohol. All the food is made with organic products and they also offer healthy cocktails to replace those alcoholic beverages you feel like you might be missing. This is clean eating at its best with a selection of meat, dairy and sugar-free dishes.

The Banana Tree – Six locations around London Serving up the tastiest, healthiest dishes from the Indochina region. Their gluten free menu is constantly expanding with a selection of recipes from Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. Who said exotic dining can’t be healthy?

IN SEARCH OF A REAL CZECH EXPERIENCE IN PRAGUE? Discovering a city through the eyes of a local is priceless. Be able to live the authentic Prague life with its people. When it comes to absorbing the full effect of a foreign city’s culture, history, and excitement, many travellers turn to local guides and tour companies to help maximize the enjoyment of the journey. This sentiment is shared by travellers around the globe, and in Prague, the only company worth using is Guidilo.

Born from the combination of the words “guide” and local”, Guidilo is staffed with local natives whose excitement and energy for the breathtaking city knows no bounds. The company specializes in unique, personal tours that shy away from the touristic, crowded attractions, and instead focus on all the hidden details that make the city so wonderful to experience. There are similar companies operating worldwide but Guidilo is the first of this kind in the Czech Republic. “The experience is designed to feel as if you’re experiencing the city alongside a new friend, instead of a stiff tour guide,” Tereza Vítková says, co-founder at Guidilo. “Hanging out with locals is always the best way to explore any destination. No guidebook can give you all the insider tips and hidden gems that the people living there ever day can offer. From our years of travelling, we’ve learned that a good guide can make the difference between an unpleasant walk and a wonderful lifelong memory.” Globalism has opened up the world and made travel accessible and affordable. Tourism has seen a boom and many businesses have gotten their foot in the door and shaped our expectations for what travelling looks like. However Guidilo has proven that it’s still possible to improve and change the way we travel. Tourists travelling to the Czech Republic now have a wider spectrum of experiences to choose from to make their trip more special and authentic. Those interested in booking a visit to Prague with Guidilo should visit their website. Every tour guide passes a thorough background check, has a serious passion for the city they call home, and loves meeting the individual needs of every traveller they encounter.

Additional Emergency Relief to Ethiopia H&M Foundation makes a second donation of USD 400,000 to Save the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emergency work in Ethiopia, due to the current drought crisis. The support will result in food, water, sanitation and basic education to children. Ethiopia is experiencing its worst drought in fifty years, threatening over 30 million people across the affected area. Despite early warning systems showing signals of a forthcoming disaster, the call for urgent global support is still not being acted upon quickly enough. A total of USD 500,000 has now been donated by the H&M Foundation to emergency relief efforts in Ethiopia, and it is directed towards food and nutrition, clean water, sanitation and hygiene as well as basic education to children in the affected areas. With this second donation we can provide rapid response and help more children and their families to handle the worst drought in 50 years in Ethiopia, says John Graham, Country Director Save the Children Ethiopia. In December 2015, the H&M Foundation donated USD 100,000 to Save the Children which already has contributed to food aid to over 250,000 people, water, medicine and crucial support to families who have lost their incomes and treatment of over 4,000 cases of child malnutrition since the drought started. An escalation of the drought expected to affect millions of people is predicted for the coming months. This, combined with the fact that the international response to the crisis remains insufficient made it an easy decision to make an additional donation, says Diana Amini, Global Manager at the H&M Foundation.

Recycled

Runway

It all began with an e/mail. But I’ll get back to that point. My name is Amy Suhrer. I am a 7th grade science teacher for the Katy Independent School District. I teach at Seven Lakes Junior High (SLJH) in Katy, Texas. I also sponsor the 4H Club after school, which consists of 68 student members. The 4H program is in conjunction with 4H of Ft. Bend County in TX and is affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A & M System. Founded in 1908, 4H is the largest youth development program in Texas. It reaches more than 550,000 youth each year. The 4H name represents four personal development areas of focus for the organization: head, heart, hands, and health. It is much more than an agriculturally focused organization. 4H focuses on citizenship, science, healthy living, engineering and technology. As a science teacher, our campus focuses on science and healthy living. It is important to teach our children the value of respecting and caring for our environment. Our 7th grade curriculum is primarily biology. The 4H club completes two major projects each year. Our organic garden is planted in September, so we can harvest and enjoy our crops before the winter break. Master gardeners, who are trained by 4H Ft. Bend County and have a passion for gardening and helping the community come to help and teach us about growing organic vegetables and herbs. Our second project is “Hatching in the Classroom.” Fertilized chicken eggs of different breeds are donated by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and arrive in February. Over the last few years, I have received grants from the Seven Lakes Junior High PTA and a local homeowners association. Additionally, we held several school-wide fundraisers to purchase an incubator for each of our five 7th grade science classrooms. All 4H members and 7th grade science students have access to the incubators and chicks after they hatch. This year we hatched 48 chicks at SLJH. We cared for them until they were three weeks old and then they went to families with farms who wanted the chickens for egg laying purposes. This project is very likely the most anticipated activity of the year.

The excitement goes through the roof as each baby chick begins to peck its way through the shell. The entire staff and student body is interested when this species arrives and causes exhilaration in the SLJH population. Each year, the SLJH 4H program completes a community service project (such as donating stuffed animals to our local children’s hospital), and completes a fundraiser. I knew this year I wanted to do something green, but really couldn’t pin down a great fundraising idea. The goal was to raise enough money to build a covered wooden gazebo and surround it with plants that attract butterflies. Ultimately, my hope is hands on experience will teach the children about caring for the environment, life cycles, adaptations, migration, habitats, biodiversity and natural selection. A special emphasis will be placed on monarch butterflies and their growth and development. These beautifully

developed butterflies have recently been placed on the endangered list. The entire community will benefit from seeing these perfectly symmetrical creatures arrive each spring, lay their eggs and in the fall, fly in abundant numbers during the fall season to migrate in Mexico. In researching the monarch butterflies, I have discovered the only plant that the butterflies will lay their eggs on is milkweed. However, amateur conservationists have been planting an exotic species of milkweed called tropical milkweed. Consequently, research suggests this exotic species may be putting the monarchs at a higher risk of disease and loss of reproduction. Only native species of milkweed will benefit the monarchs. We can actually purchase the native variety at a local organic nursery. It is also crucial that the milkweed plants are cut to the ground in the fall so the monarchs are forced to migrate to Mexico. If the milkweed is not reduced properly, the butterflies will stay where the food is to survive and will not migrate. This causes many problems when cooler weather begins. In Texas, we do have periods where we experience freezing conditions, so it is important to take care of the butterflies in a way that will encourage migration to a safe environment for the winter. I also discovered monarch butterflies declined between 1999-2009 in the Midwest. Scientists believe the loss is in conjunction with an increased application of weed killer. Monarch reproduction in the Midwest declined more than 80%. The same happened in their migration destination, Mexico. American Scientific reports, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Populations of the iconic and beloved monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus) have dropped an astonishing 96.5 percent over the past few decades, from an estimated 1 billion in the mid-1990s to just 35 million in early 2014. Conservation groups have been worrying about this decline for several years, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) finally took notice. According to the agency, monarch butterflies may deserve protection under the Endangered Species Act.â&#x20AC;? Monarch butterflies play a vital role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. They are in the group of pollinators we cannot survive without them. Plant species would perish without insects such as the monarch to pollinate them. Plants also rely on wind or water to transfer pollen from one flower to the next. However, it is estimated almost 90% of all plant species need the help of insects and animals for this task. Our students will learn butterflies are a part of Life on planet Earth and a component of its rich and varied biodiversity. It is our responsibility as humans

to protect life on our planet. Having children research and learn about the monarch butterfly, how it lives, how to care for it and what threats they face, will give them a sense of value for the creatures. Being able to show kids we CAN make a difference is critical to their understanding

of biology and the world. As stated in the beginning, it all started with an email. An email I sent to all of the 4H parents asking for help with coordinating a fundraiser and searching for organic or green ideas. Without hesitation, parent volunteer, Mrs. Yvonne Blackwood, responded with a resounding YES. We met and she presented several green ideas, but one really caught my attention, The Recycled Runway. I thought it was the perfect 4H fundraiser. Teaching students about reusing and recycling materials in itself is an educational opportunity that can potentially create lifelong environmentalists. And so the process started. First, I began promoting the event on SLJH morning announcements, scrolling announcements in the cafeteria, e/mails and flyers. Our principal, Dr. Imelda Medrano, helped by advertising in her online blog and communication with parents. We had participation packets made up with dates of practices and rehearsals. Students really took this huge commitment seriously. They were very excited about the idea of creating fashion. Students were required to submit an original design drawing. Each drawing was inspected and approved to make sure it met the school’s dress code and was appropriate for a school event. They were also required to present a storyboard. This is a poster showing the drawing of their design, their inspiration, and samples of the materials they are using. Some students were interested in designing but didn’t want to model. They chose a friend to model their design. We even had a student who chose her teacher to model. Mrs. Groos was so excited to participate. We had a total of 22 student models. Parent volunteer, Mrs. Blackwood, is a former model and has also coordinated fundraising events in the past. So, we met frequently with the models to make sure they were on task and focused to meet the deadline for the show. She taught them the proper stances and how to walk the runway. They were so excited to learn all about this. We also had a make-up artist visit, Cintya Velderrain, from Studio by Cintya. She showed them the difference between everyday make-up and runway make-up. She taught them how to choose colors to complement their design. In the meantime, Mrs. Blackwood worked tirelessly to get donations, music, set designs, and special performers for the show. I enlisted the help of our theater department and theater teacher, Julia Becker to build the runway, and coordinate practice times. The runway was 4’ wide by 32’ long and sat flush and perpendicular to the stage. We

lined the edge of the entire runway with white lights and had four tripod spotlights to illuminate the models. Our home economics teacher, Sarah Heston, enlisted her students to make finger food, dress elegant, and distribute them from silver trays to guests at the event. Our art teachers, Whitney Bruce and Gina VanHoozer, had students design art from recycled materials and eight of the pieces were highlighted at a silent art auction during the event. PTA lent us a red carpet and poles for a “Red Carpet Photo Opportunity” runway for guests. They enjoyed taking pictures of themselves with friends and family. SLJH orchestra teachers performed the dynamic opening number, eight students played orchestra music in the rotunda as people arrived, and various students performed dances and/or singing during the event. We had a special “Adopt A Butterfly” table for donations. A local business, First Cup Coffee donated coffee and all the condiments to sell to guests.

All of the designs were created at the home of the designer. They had to use recycled items or repurposed items. They gathered items from friends, family members, a local thrift store, and even teachers. At last the day came for them to bring the design to practice. All I can say is WOW!!! The designs just mesmerized Mrs. Blackwood and me. The creative talent, effort, and enthusiasm they put into this recycled project was fantastic. I was so proud of each and every one of them and so happy they embraced the process and learned so much about recycling. They realized most of the designs they could even wear to school. They were that good! As we got closer to the day of the event, we had several dress rehearsals. The theater department provided students to run the lights and music. A special designer, Mrs. Faith McGary, came to assist with accessory pieces and help the students with last minute design issues. The students were very grateful to have a designer give them special pieces to wear and critique their designs. This truly was a great opportunity for everyone. We sent information to the local media. Low and behold, we were invited to go live on KHOU channel 11 in Houston the day before the show. They were impressed with our 4H program and butterfly garden. I took five girls with me. They were able to show their designs on the 4:30 p.m. newscast and talk about their experience designing their clothes. They felt so special and honored to be on TV. Enthusiasm was abounding and they did a spectacular job on the news. . One of our models, Cassie, said, “Being part of recycled runway was so fun! I love that my school makes raising money fun. I love knowing I helped the monarch butterflies survive!” Cassie is modeling the nature designed skirt and vest. She included a butterfly on the vest to promote our cause. The day of the fashion show was quite emotional. Everything we had done was coming to fruition and we were so excited. Everything had been set up the evening before and we were so ready to see the teenagers take advantage of their special moment and have fun. Madison, modeled her own design made from men’s ties. She even incorporated ties into her hat. Madison relayed her emotions. She said, “I’ve always had an interest in fashion. I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to be a part of a fashion runway show. I think the project was a great chance to express myself using recycled materials and at the same time, support a good cause for my junior high.” Make-up artist, Cyntia, and Mary Kay consultant, Linda Dyer, came to help the models with their make-up.

A photographer from Kay’s Kustom Photography in Katy was on hand to take professional shots of the girls at the Red Carpet Photo runway. Orchestra students began playing in our Rotunda and guests began to arrive. So many parents, family, friends, and staff members attended the event. We even had to add more chairs. We had a crowd of about 250 guests. The models did such a tremendous job on the runway. It was their big moment and they took full advantage. They looked very professional walking the runway as two of our staff members, Sarah Heston and Marta Lopez, described their design. Mrs. Blackwood even organized a group of girls from a local dance studio, Intempo, to lead the grand finale. They were dressed like monarch butterflies and danced beautifully. They gave honor and insight to the goal of the fashion show – the butterfly garden, featuring monarch butterflies. We raised over $1,600 for the butterfly garden. At the same time, students learned so much about recycling.

I am thankful so many people embraced this project. It would not have become what it was without all the help and support of others. We have only heard positive comments and many students and parents are already asking when the butterfly garden will be complete. I am hoping to have it installed and ready by the beginning of school in August. Then the 4H students can plant the milkweed. It will be perfect timing. The biggest lesson I learned is that taking a risk can be very rewarding for everyone involved. My favorite part was watching the students take the risk with me and watching their joy and enthusiasm every day. They learned new things, tried new things, and came to the conclusion that even if something is difficult, keep working at it and then teach others. Ana designed and modeled the queen of hearts piece. She was inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Ana said it best, “I had a lot of fun doing the recycled runway project. It was difficult at first, but after starting, it became a lot easier to see how I was going to finish my design. I’m glad I was able to help the 4H club with the fundraising for the butterfly garden.” You can donate to the butterfly garden project by visiting

gofundme.com/73vrpjak. Thank you for your consideration in supporting a great educational cause.

MUSIC WITH

FIVE GRAND STEREO

Image by Pal Hansen

The gang met many moons ago for a different project that was not meant to be Five Grand Stereo. Chris Singleton, lead songwriter put out some ads in some music magazines and found Zane, Ben and Stelios. Chris had already befriended Michael whom he shared an interest in George Harrison solo albums with. Jane was recruited after a friend of Chris’ played him a track featuring Jane’s vocals. Once he heard her voice, Chris says he knew Jane just had to be in the band. Fast forward and here they are Five Grand Stereo. You say “The idea behind Five Grand Stereo is to take a 1970s band, shove them in a time machine, deposit them in 2014 and ask them to make a record about the world they find themselves in”. Interesting, how are you finding 2016 do you feel like going back to the 70’s? Oh yes, take us back to 1975 right now please. Well, we were not born yet, at that point, but the prospect of seeing Pink Floyd live and living in a pre-Thatcherite Britain certainly appeals. So you had a Kickstarter campaign to fund your album, do you feel more pressure to deliver if the album is partly funded by your fans? Well we’ve finished the campaign now and successfully manufactured the album, which is great. It has its pros and cons, the crowd-funding thing. On the one hand, you feel you’re doing something special for your listeners - and yes, the pressure to deliver feels more real (and you feel awful about any delays). On the other, we don’t really like pestering ordinary people for dosh repeatedly, which you sort of have to do to meet a Kickstarter target. It can feel a bit uncomfortable when there are so many better causes people can donate to. What do you think is lacking from the music industry at the moment (it could be something that’s stopping talented artist from progressing) Equality for women. The industry is mainly run by rich white men who seem to think that developing a woman’s career chiefly involves featuring her in a soft porn film accompanied by some (bloke-penned) music which is about how much she enjoys being in a soft porn film. If each one of you was to be reincarnated, which music artist would you come back as and why? I think we’d all come back as various body parts of David Bowie. (Chris Singleton) How can our readers get involved with Five Grand Stereo and keep supporting you guys? Well, we’ve actually finished the Kickstarter campaign now - thanks to all who contributed for their generosity and patience while we laboured over our record. We’re still deciding when to do a public release of the album, but for now the best way to support us is by joining our mailing list at http://www.fivegrandstereo.com (go on: you’ll get a free download) or streaming our David Bowie EP at http://www.fivegrandstereo.com/david-bowie-ep.

REVIVAL Photographer Bogdan Teodorov Fashion Stylist Andra Teodorov Hair Stylist Camelia Tugearu Makeup Artist Lacramioara Tataru Outfits Vintage Trends Boutique Model Iulia Prodan - Max1 Models Agency

Photographer Bogdan Teodorov Fashion Stylist Andra Teodorov Hair Stylist Camelia Tugearu Makeup Artist Lacramioara Tataru Outfits Vintage Trends Boutique Model Iulia Prodan - Max1 Models Agency

Jamie Laing & Ed Williams invite you to CANDY KITTENS Ed Williams & Jamie Laing met through mutual friends and from then a beautiful bromance began and out of it Candy Kittens was born. Ed & Jamie describe Candy kittens as a fashionable confectionary sweets company; they make sweets that are fun, sexy and cool. Candy Kittens are not just your ordinary sweets company; they are a lifestyle brand for all ages. What makes Candy Kittens sweets sexy, fun and cool? It’s all in the packaging. Ed & Jamie wanted to create something that was different from what was already out there. Looking at the packaging it does indeed look fashionable, minimalistic and sleek. It is “different from your grandmother’s old sweet tin” explains Ed. Whilst Jamie had a plan to create Willy Wonka like factory in London, Ed had his own design company and had just left university. “Why don’t we create something magical together”, thought Jamie and after going through many, many designs and hard work, within 18 months the brand was born. “Ed and I are like a triangle we have different ideas but share the same vision which is key and I think it helps create a great business. Ed is like the Steve Jobs on our team and it kind of helps to have a Steve Jobs on your team doesn’t it?” - Jamie So with Ed being the Steve Jobs of the gang, Jamie has his own USP “Jamie’s

USP is his enthusiasm and energy. He gives it his all and sometimes you need that relentless energy for your not so great days, you need someone to pick you up and just remind us we can still do this,” explains Ed. Jamie came up with the idea for Candy Kittens on a trip to New York. “I walked into Dylan’s Candy Bar (Ralph Lauren’s daughter). I was amazed by the amount of money that was being spent on sweets and the experience that was on offer in Dylan’s candy bar. The shop was exciting there were sweets everywhere and the people working there were just full of joy.” Jamie’s mantra is get the experience and then chase the money later. “It’s all about understanding the world you are in first and of course with hard work the money will start to come in. Our experience has been fascinating and we have learnt a lot,” says Jamie. Ed says “Everything we are doing, we are experiencing it for the first time, from building a team to letting some people go, to submitting our accounts, getting our legals in order and even the customers. Having said that, we try and do things our own way and behave like Candy Kittens. It makes it more exciting for us and creates greater engagement”. That is exactly why we are loving the Candy Kittens movement. Watch what happens at the Candy Kittens HQ on YouTube Channel now!

IBIZA FASHION FESTIVAL We have seen Karen Windle’s work on various projects in the past as Creative Director and head Hair Stylist and we have always been amazed. This time Karen has decided to turn it up a few levels. Ibiza Fashion Festival is Karen’s latest project. This is a high end fashion show supporting and showcasing established and emerging designers to the VIP guests on the Balearic Island of Ibiza. Who would have imagined, back when Karen started working in a hair salon at the age of16 sweeping up the floors on her Saturdays, that she would now be heavily influential in the world and hosting important guests in Ibiza. Karen tells us it’s her hard work that has got her here. Karen went to study Art and Design at Cambridge, whilst holding down her Saturday job in the salon. Then when she finished her studying, she knew this was the field she wanted to be

in, so she followed her heart and started working in the hair and beauty industry. However this industry could not contain her ambition. Karen felt she always had a creative side and so she got involved in the fashion industry working as a Creative Director on various projects. Now that she is armed with all these skills and talents, she is putting them to good use, developing unique shows which allow her to focus on the hair as well as the production. Karen says “I have worked with amazing teams and photographers, I feel very privileged. Now in Ibiza, I have been working on this project, Ibiza Fashion Festival for two years. The models have been handpicked by the designers and myself.” The show will be held on Saturday 4th June on a beach location with an impeccable runway lit by candles.

The

Plateu

Out and about on our adventures, we were introduced to this brand, The Plateu and what immediately caught our attention was the ethos of the brand. This is not just a brand that is just looking to sell their products to the masses but rather a brand that has a purpose to influence culture and change the world for the better, as cliché as that may sound; we are all up for it. We caught with the man behind the brand who identifies himself as Abdullah. The Plateu actually a short term for The Platform Euphoria. The Platform Euphoria is a state of higher consciousness. With this platform I’m continuously seeking a greater depth for the whole collective of ideas I have. All garments and ideas ultimately come from our mind and if these things are able to be conceived from a state of higher consciousness would that not make better garments and ideas? We were intrigued about your brands philanthropic work; talk us through the various projects you are working on? These philanthropic projects help the brand exist in a better state. I look at The Plateu and think if this was a living breathing person what kind of person would that be? I felt it was important to do as many projects as I possibly could to create the best culture I could. Currently I’m developing one project called Eat Good, which is aimed to provide homeless people with a full meal with every garment sold for the Flint Community These projects were created to highlight the importance of clean water around the world. I’m also working on another project in support of the charity CALM, to help bring some understanding towards mental health and cultivate some sort of conversation for the cause. How much effect do you think the work

you are doing will have on the issues you are trying to tackle? I honestly don’t know, but even the smallest impact is better than none. What is the vision for The Plateu and how are you going to implement that? The world is full of consumer goods and ideas created to satisfy our primal state. A lot of things have been manufactured subconsciously and consciously to keep us in a machine like state. A human being exists on both a material and conscious dimension. However a lot of people prefer to exist on the most expensive material level and at a super cheap conscious level. My vision is to have as many people relate to the higher consciousness I speak of through the culture. Do you think as artists/creatives we have a responsibility to use our talents/brand to better serve the world? Yes I do think we have responsibilities to better serve the world. There is an awful lot of suffering and if you can help alleviate that or help people elevate themselves you feel better about yourself. We live in a spiritual ecosystem where everything is connected. Our actions affect the environment around us. How the world moves forward depends on us living in the here and now.

We need to get back in touch with ourselves however most of the consumerist culture continuously creates greater distance between our material and conscious worlds. People need to be shown that power lies in their choices and free will to do positive or negative things as opposed to relying on someone else to make change. Giving things a greater set of functional purposes that crosses multiple dimensions makes better product. It is the reason why smartphones have been so successful and jackets have pockets and hoods besides protecting you from the cold.

to understand one another. The problem is people being disrespectful towards another’s way of life then replicating their makeup 10 years later. Images by Andrew Maloney

There are some concerns about the fashion world being an exclusive world, where only the prestige can get in. Do you agree with this and how do you think we can fashion a bit more inclusive? The tagline for The Plateu has always been an ‘Independent Grassroots Culture’. The roots have always been independent of mainstream fashion.The ideals and structure of a lot of it does not correlate with the beliefs of the culture I have been trying to cultivate. Furthermore what dictates fashion world trends is a lot of cultural appropriation and hacks talking nonsense. The fashion industry is a huge photocopy machine that creates Fad after Fad after Fad. The industry today is stealing its ideas from football fans, inner city youth, hip-hop music and people who are deemed the lowest class of society. The industry profits from people it doesn’t want to truly associate itself with. Fashion gatekeepers will forever do what they want and are a reflection somewhat of people like David Cameron who chastise people on lower incomes for not working like a machine for every penny yet they steal more taxpayers money than anyone else. The internet however gives people a platform to express themselves how they see fit and create their own thing. There’s nothing wrong with fashion subcultures crossing over and people trying

THORA JEWELS