Editor: Imogen Carter living@ epigram.org.uk
@e2Living
Style
Living
to A letter
Dear Freya ,
lf e s r e h s my fre
Much like the episode of Friends in which Ross gets nervous about giving a lecture and adopts an English persona, the pressure of moving away from home and having to make a whole batch of new friends has propelled you into cultivating a new character for yourself. This character falls somewhere between Samantha from the Sex and the City and a post-breakdown Lindsay Lohan . While it is easy enough to strut your stuff as a sassy-as-hell gal about town after a few drinks, you will come to realise that keeping this character up full-time is not a viable lifestyle Y option . NA
Deputy: Josephine Franks jfranks@ epigram.org.uk
Deputy: Mona Tabbara mtabbara@ epigram.org.uk
#NOPAREN TS #NOBEDTIM ES
E
#CUFFM
#SOMEBODYSTOPUS
Rushes of homesickness and terror are normal as you venture into this new, unfamiliar chapter of your life . I feel it is my duty to tell you that it is not a good idea to channel this queasy uneasiness into aggression and slap your hall’s bar man . Also, wearing a PVC policewoman’s outfit is not a necessary requirement for freshers’ fancy dress. Using the line ‘Try a Goldschläger shot, it cuts your throat so the alcohol seeps in faster ’ will not win you friends and conversely will merely terrify people . Patience is a virtue; within a few weeks you will be settled in , your guard will go down and friendships will blossom. And , best of all , the PVC policewoman’s outfit will never be seen again . So wait out the uncomfortable ride that is freshers’ week and entice people with your cooking skills, not your catty alter-ego. Love , 3rd year you XOXO
#U
Travel
Tucked between two thick slices of investigative bread, e2 is the tasty filling in Epigram’s big fat sandwich. This fortnight the theme is Fresh Start owing to the optimism at the beginning of term as each Bristol student vows to attend every lecture, reserve every library book, grasp every opportunity and other swiftly discarded resolutions. And also freshers are...er...starting. Next fortnight the theme will be Shoestring so think about things to do on a budget, how to stretch your student loan as far as it will go, and anything else the word may bring to mind. Email all ideas to section editors or go and see their beautiful faces in person at their fortnightly meeting.
e2 is brought to you by Living : Imogen Carter, Josephine Franks and Mona Tabbara will meet at The White Bear at 1.15pm on the 9th of October Style : Lizi Woolgar and Anisha Gupta will meet at the White Bear at 1.10 on Wednesday the 10th of October Travel : Alicia Queiro and Alex Bradbrook will meet at 1.15 in the Refectory on Tuesday the 9th of October with e2 editor : Ant Adeane Illustrators : Sara Daoud Alex Norris
Cover illustration : Josh Gabbatiss
Jason
08.10.12
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Clifton Suspension Bridge A good romantic spot for those blossoming fresher romances. Strong winds and mediocre views of the city only add to the occasion.
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Lizard Lounge
The Hannibal Lectorlookalike who runs the cloakroom tells you everything you need to know about this place: undoubtedly, it’s the most depraved nightspot this side of Sin City. From tropically moist lavatories to toecurlingly cringe playlists, everything about this place will make you swear you’ll never come back, yet somehow everybody does.
ILLUSTRATION: Sara Daoud WORDS: Bernie Fischer
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legend, Blackbeard
Britain’s oldest known dinosaur was found in Bristol. The thecondontosaurus antiquus fossil is thought to be more than 210m years old.
Living
the Pirate was born in the Bristol Harbourside area
1
2
Naomi Wolf’s new book, interestingly entitled Vagina, has sparked a number of discussions about how folk talk - or don’t talk - about their punanis. I’m afraid that when this topic came on Radio 4 I was in the car alone with my friend’s dad on the way to see her in Glasgow. Instead of listening avidly, I was overcome by the urge to point out pieces of landscape in order to drown out phrases such as ‘genital shaped pasta’ and ‘some people like to be spanked’.
Travel
shutterstock Elena Blokhina
you didn’t know about
BRISTOL
Gloucester Road is Europe’s longest stretch of independent shops
Bristol Zoo is the oldest provincial zoo in the world
What I did gather was that Wolf suggests using sexually aggressive terms around our ladybits makes them sad vaginas and leaves their owners stressed, depressed and less able to orgasm. Uncool. Words like ‘clunge’ and ‘gash’ which were so fondly used by my ol’ school ‘pals’ back in the day, make me vom a little in the back of my mouth and I think I would unleash all projectile fury if any of my friends used seriously used such terms now. If words can upset ears then why not other body parts? In an effort to come up with new ways to boost my selfesteem I was struck by how many Bristol clubs sound like positive vagina nicknames. Think about that next time you go to Po Na Na, Pam Pam or The Lizard Lounge.
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4
Harry Potter is supposedly based on a young boy J.K. Rowling knew when she was growing up in Bristol
URBAN FOX HUNTING When I arrived in Bristol and saw a fox - a real fox! - for the first time I was beyond Disneyland-excited: ‘My God, look! It’s eating out of a bin! Hardly an ARM’S LENGTH AWAY!’ To which my city dwelling friends would reply coolly something along the lines of ‘Tchah?’ and ‘You probably shouldn’t put your arm there’. My great love for the urban foxes of Bristol trundled quietly along until I caught a glimpse of one of the designs for the new Bristol pound, with none other than…AN URBAN FOX. Riding a bicycle! Yes, let us celebrate our wily local companions by using them as currency, elevating them practically to the status of the Queen. Huzzah.
THE KNIGHTLEY EFFECT
7 flickr Valerie Chiang
Style
7 THINGS
The world’s first chocolate bar was created in Bristol in 1847, by the Fry’s Chocolate Factory on Union Street
IMOGEN PALMER
BRISTOL CLUBS AND VAGINAS
Ribena started life in Bristol in 1933
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BORDERLINE NEWS flickr x-ray delta
According to
Mona Tabbara
Helen’s face launched a thousand ships, Cheryl Cole’s sold some shampoo and yet dear Keira Knightley’s appears to divide opinion. The release of Anna Karenina caused a kerfuffle because some people think someone as fit as her shouldn’t be playing this complex passionate literary heroine. Unfortunately, I suffer from a huge girl crush on Keira Knightley which results in my inability to accurately judge whether she’s suitable for the role or not, or even if she has any acting talent whatsoever. Instead, when she is on screen I pass my time penning short sonnets in her honour: ‘Oh Keira / There is no one dearer / With your full thick brows / In that ruffled Russian blouse’ – it’s a work in progress. Can she act? Is she right for this part? You tell me.
08.10.12
Advertisement
o t ow
H PASS YOURSELF OFF
For all you first years out there, here is a guide to help you fool people into thinking you’re not actually an excitable, slightly nervous fresher, but a sleek, sophisticated second year who knows all the ins and outs of university life.
Returners have made their drunken way through the highs and lows of first year madness, frantically decided upon some last-minute revision - although the implication that they have ever actually seen most of the work before is perhaps false - and achieved a grade passable enough to get them into second year.
So, follow these five tips for an aspiring returner-to-be and say hello to your faux second year.
“Cancel your house party last minute so nobody actually realises you’re in halls”
1. Invite people to a house party, but be sure to cancel last minute and keep the address vague so nobody actually realises you’re in halls. This should be enough to get you an invite to other parties, but not enough information to arouse suspicion as to your actual fresher status. 2. Refuse to go out on certain nights because ‘it’s not really my scene. Far too many freshers.’ 3. Smile patronisingly at other freshers, whilst telling them to ‘enjoy this year. Second year is so much harder.’ 4. Make sure you never look too clean or too neat; remember that as a returner, water for showers is expensive and you can’t waste
flickr: tantek
Here they are confronted with the brutal reality that results now mean something for one’s final degree, bills need to be paid and someone needs to clean the loo.
AS A RETURNER
valuable time that you could be spending in the library trying to dress nicely. Besides, you’re far too old to be bothering about the whims of fashion.
5. Discussing food is always a good conversation starter. For many second years, learning to cook,- as well as remembering to actually buy food - can be one of the hardest things to get used to, so be sure to moan about the amount of pot noodle you’ve consumed, or the fact that cereal without milk is actually a health choice. Rosie Quigley
LOST IN A SWEDISH JUNGLE
flickr John Liu
Living
@e2Living
ROOM 101 #1: FROUTFITS The range of ludicrously trendy outfits that the majority of undergraduate girls will be wearing throughout October. As a result of one too many a cute Topshop playsuit teamed with heeled ankle boots, the walk to lectures turns into a bizarrely competitive fashion parade, with first-years generally surviving the longest before reverting to ‘normal’ clothes. Freshers’ outfits, or Froutfits, as they are more commonly known, are the subject of this rant for two reasons. The first is that the Froutfit-wearer strives to have the best outfit in their tutorial group, despite knowing that by Christmas everyone will have seen them looking rough and hungover after an over-keen night at SCORE when they turn up to some important lecture with mismatched shoes.
Style
“You probably should have worn pumps in the first place, babes” The second downfall of the Froutfit-wearer is their tendency to over dress for the occasion. This is typically associated with first-year girls on bar crawls. Whiteladies Road and Park Street are hills. Stilettos may go with your outfit, but they will end in misery. Attempts to de-Froutfit during the night -at any point beyond Wills Memorial Building- by removing shoes or getting a piggy-back, demonstrate the impractical nature of Froutfits. You probably should have worn pumps in the first place, babes. Unfortunately, in some cases Froutfits re-emerge during the spring and summer exam periods, especially in the ASS Library. In an attempt to make a stand against the continuing influx of Froutfits this week and even well into the second semester, Room 101 urges you to dig out your grottiest jumper and comfiest plimsolls... and wear them with pride.
. . . lly
Lucy de Greeff
Travel
a n i df
An
Sian Edwards and Josephine Franks
To all Freshers: over the next year, you will break every single glass you own. Despite starting off with 10 sets of cutlery between you, there will only be a lone fork left by the end of the year, and you will find yourself, as I did, embarking on a familiar adventure back to that blue and yellow beacon of despair that is IKEA. The first challenge is finding the place. Google Maps is displaying unfamiliar territorysomewhere outside the 1-mile radius that encompasses the handful of landmarks that become the Bristol students’ entire world during term-time (the Downs, Tyndall Avenue, Whiteladies, the Triangle, and possibly Park Street on an adventurous day). But where is this curious phenomenon? It looks miles away, possibly in a different country even. But we quickly spot a motorway, and work our way back- ahh, a sigh of relief; our destination is in fact only a five minute drive from the city centre. Upon arrival, the real adventure begins. We are herded into a deep, dark cavern signposted as ‘car park’. We have lost sight of the entrance and believe any exits to be hundreds of miles away. We are trapped. Respite soon appears in the form of a spacious and welllit warehouse that helpfully provides us with rather ambitious giant yellow shopping bags and, for some reason, a lifetime’s supply of teeny tiny… branded pencils?! Yet once upstairs, all hell breaks loose. Where have all these people come from? It’s 10am on a Sunday! We fight our way through the surging crowds, determined to master the maze of showrooms that appear before us. But there is no logical route. The path twists
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and turns, weaving in and out of living room after living room… and then, progress! A kitchen! But no, another corner and…shit, sofas again. Is there no end to the steady onslaught of tasteful caramel hues and understated Scandinavian design? We start to panic, and search one another’s faces desperately for answers and support, defeated. But there is no time to waste. As if on cue, herds of children- shudder- appear out of nowhere, treating the whole experience like one big play-time. Don’t they realize the seriousness of this mission? They run around in droves, spinning around recklessly in minimalist, overpriced chairs. We sidle alongside weary parents, taking refuge in a shared hatred of their offspring. We find ourselves on another escalator, this time going down down down… into a flatpack fiasco. We are in the thick of it- do I really need a jug? What’s the difference between a tea towel and a hand towel? Which candle smells best? Do I already have a bin? How about a chest of drawers? Rug? Pot plant?! ARGHHHHHH. W h a t feels like hours later, we reemerge into fresh air. We are still lost, naturally, but no matter, there is an obliging member of staff on hand whose skills at spotting fledgling victims of this Swedish jungle have been honed over years in the wilderness, and he guides us through the confusingly alphabetised parking system back to the safety and sanctity of the car. We are safe, but we are empty-handed. To all Freshers: you are not out of danger yet. There will be a next time, and you better be prepared. Jane Walton
leep s t u or abo y r t-do r ht o x e w nig rn ’t d n u r o o y hi D d ith he t t w n g e ha o v r in ’ e u u hbo , yo mov g e i l r e l ’ u n e S d ut h ek an rm. b e t , s of we ea r id the lf e t n t i urse of h be o t i y t ls w onsole mos hal t c a n new ca t th k c u o a n y ef eve h th never t i w t r fla u o y d. iste x e he
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UBU NEWS Welcome to UBU News - our mini newspaper tucked into Epigram bringing you the latest information about Students’ Union campaigns, services and events. BUILDING A BETTER STUDENTS’ UNION If you haven’t noticed, our HQ is going through a £30million refurbishment. We’ve spoken to stu-
dents about what you want from your Students’ Union space, fed this back to the architects and the final plans can now be seen online. We’re so excited! The downside is that different areas of the Students’ Union will be affected over the next two years as our new building is created, but we’ve worked really hard to make sure you’ll still be able to get involved in everything
the Students’ Union offers. For the final plans and a timeline of the project go to ubu.org.uk/build. CAMPAIGNS This term, the elected officers are focusing on VOICE: your voice as a student and your larger political voice. From Part-time Officer (PTO) and Bristol city elections to Student Council to the NUS
Issue 1 08.10.2012
ubu.org.uk
(National Union of Students) 2012 Demo in London, there will be plenty of opportunities to get in volved. Find out more at ubu.org. uk/campaigns. NEVER TOO LATE TO JOIN A CLUB OR SOCIETY Take a leaf out of previous Alumni, Simon Pegg, Matt Lucas and NME’s Editor Krissi Murison and get involved. It’s not often in life you’ll get the chance to take part in the range of activities UBU provides, from white-water rafting to dancing to debating. Whether you’re a new or returning student, it’s never too late to join, make friends, learn new skills and boost your CV. For more information go to ubu.org.uk/ activities. COME SAY HELLO! Don’t forget to stop by the Rich mond Building: Home of the Stu dents’ Union on Queens Road and the UBU Info Point on Tyndall Av enue to find out more about UBU. You can also email ubu-infopoint @bristol.ac.uk with general queries or ubu-justask@bristol.ac.uk if you’re after advice and support.
Meet your Elected Officers Paul, Hannah, Martha, Tom, Alice & Alessandra on page 2. The LIST is your guide to what’s on each term - check out page 3 for an overview and pick up a hard copy for the whole term at the Welcome Desk in the Richmond Building: Home of the Students’ Union on Queens Road or at the UBU Info Point on Tyndall Avenue. UBU News | Issue 1 | 08.10.2012
Again, welcome to Bristol - we’re so glad you’re here and we can’t wait to meet you!
Freshers Week may be over, but it’s not the end of UBU Freshers events! Tickets are still available for the Freshers Film Night (8 Oct), BARMY Bar Crawl (9 Oct) & the Freshers Ball (11 Oct). Visit ubu.org.uk/freshers for more info!
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Meet your new Elected Student Officers! Every March, Bristol students elect six students to lead the Union full-time for one year. These Elected Officers make sure that the student voice is heard at the University, in the local community and on a national level through the National Union of Students (NUS). Your 2012-13 Officers - Paul, Hannah, Martha, Tom, Alice & Alessandra - are busy finalising their plans for the year and developing new ways for students to get involved. Find out more about their plans, and follow them on Twitter and Tumblr, at ubu.org.uk/officers.
Paul Charlton, President
ubu-president@bristol.ac.uk
Alice Peck, Community
ubu-community@bristol.ac.uk
As President of the Students’ Union I’m the figurehead of UBU. I’m the main point of contact for the University and the NUS, but most importantly I speak on behalf of, and am answerable to, all University of Bristol students. I also lead, encourage and support the other elected officers.
I work to ensure you get the most out of your time living in the exciting and diverse city of Bristol. I will help you get involved with volunteering in the local community, as well as provide support and representation with issues related to safety, housing and transport. I’m also responsible for working for an environmentally and ethically sound Union and University, and supporting and encouraging students to live sustainably. Please get in touch if I can help you!
Alessandra Berti, Welfare & Equality
Hannah Pollak, Sport & Health
ubu-welfare@bristol.ac.uk
ubu-sport@bristol.ac.uk
I’m here to safeguard the well-being and representation of all students. I work with student services to make sure you are as well-supported as possible during your time at Bristol, and also make sure that the voices of students from different and diverse backgrounds are heard at all levels. If you feel that you or someone else you know is being treated unfairly, or have any other questions, get in touch.
I am responsible for ensuring that Bristol students’ sporting needs are met, whilst encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Whether that’s taking part in a BUCS competition, as a gym user or engaging with a nutrition campaign. I hope over the coming year to broaden the sporting experience into other areas of university life. Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Martha West, Activities
Tom Flynn, Education
My role is to ensure that you are able to make the most out of the extra-curricular side of your university experience. I will support and promote the 194 societies that currently exist and make sure you are able to get involved with any one of them. Contact me whether you want to join a society, start a brand new one or just have a question about student activities here at Bristol.
My role is all about your experience at University, and making sure your education is of the highest quality possible. This includes looking after our student reps, concerns about tutoring and teaching, and fighting to make sure you have the resources you need. It’s also about making sure you’re supported through your education both financially and emotionally. Please contact me about anything at all.
ubu-activities@bristol.ac.uk
ubu-education@bristol.ac.uk
8th October is the deadline for registering to vote in Bristol city. Fill out a Registration Form at the Info Point TODAY. Do you know a student whose outstanding contribution to University life deserves recognition (and £500!)? If you do... nominate your candidate now! Nominations for the Convocation Awards are open to any student who merits recognition for their outstanding personal achievement, community action work, or other contribution to university life. Deadline for nominations: Friday 2nd November 2012 For more information and a nomination form, go to: bristol.ac.uk/alumni/ convocation-award. General queries can be directed to; Campaigns and Alumni Relations 0117 331 8210 or alumni@bristol.ac.uk. UBU News | Issue 1 | 08.10.2012
Alumni Foundation Grants • Does your club or society need help with funding? • Got a great idea for a project? • Are you a postgraduate presenting your research at a conference? The Alumni Foundation would love to hear from you!
www.bristol.ac.uk/alumni/ current-students/foundation
for more information and application forms.
The next closing date for applications is
2nd November 2012 2
Monday 8th
Krav Maga Club Intro Session • 5-6:30pm, MR5 at the Students’ Union RAG Intro Night • 7pm, Students’ Union Freshers Film Night • 7pm, Winston Theatre (tickets at ubu.org.uk/events) Voter Registration Deadline • bristol.gov.uk/page/council-and-democracy/register-vote
Your What’s On Guide Oct - Nov 2012
Bristol is holding elections for its first ever Mayor! Register to vote by 8 October at bristol.gov.uk/page/council-and-democracy/register/vote and then meet the candidates at the Mayoral Hustings on 2 November. Tuesday 9th BARMY Bar Crawl • 7pm, BAR 100+6 venues (£5, buy tickets at Freshers Fair, & Info Point) Wednesday 10th Volunteering Fair • 6-9pm, First Floor of the Students’ Union Thursday 11th Freshers Ball • 9pm, Motion (tickets at ubu.org.uk/freshers) Friday 12th Postgrad Welcome Reception • 6:30pm, MShed Museum (details at ubu.org.uk/postgrads) Sunday 14th Cricket Club Intro Session • 12:30-2:45pm, SEH (open to all, cricket-club@bristol.ac.uk) Monday 15th Day Trip: Go Karting • 6:45pm, pick up from UBU (tickets at studentdaycare.com) BAR 100 Cider Festival • 15th - 21st October (£2.20/pint or 3 taster pints for £6) Tuesday 16th Stand Up Bristol Comedy Night • 7:30pm, Ar2 (tickets at ubu.org.uk/events) Wednesday 17th Volunteering Induction Session • 10am-12pm
Everything you need to know to get involved in UBU Volunteering! Sessions will be running throughout the term - book your place at bit.ly/UBUtraining. Additional dates include: 22, 25, 30 October, 1, 7, 12, 20, 26 November & 5 December
Friday 2nd Mayoral Elections Hustings • 6-7:30pm, Great Hall, Will Memorial Building
Thursday 18th Police Crime Commissioner Question Time • 7pm, Council House (for local elections)
PTO Elections Results • 8:30pm, BAR 100 Bat for Lashes • 7pm, Anson Rooms (tickets at ubu.org.uk/events)
Friday 19th Isiqalo Presents: Laid Black & Dub Mafia • 7pm, Anson Rooms (tickets at ubu.org.uk/events)
Saturday 3rd Day Trip: Thorpe Park • 8am, pick up from UBU (tickets at studentdaycare.com)
Saturday 20th TUC Demonstration • All day, London (details at ubu.org.uk/campaigns)
Beach House • 7pm, Anson Rooms (tickets at ubu.org.uk/events) Friday 9th
Sunday 21st Cycling Club Trip to the Forest of Dean • 9am (free transport for all club members)
BRAG Oktoberfresh • 9-10th November, Anson Rooms (details at ubu.org.uk/events) Tuesday 13th
Wednesday 24th PTO Nominations Close • 5pm, (details at ubu.org.uk/elections)
Student Volunteering Presents: Speed Dating • 7-10pm, Brunel Suite at UBU Thursday 15th
Tuesday 30th Cycling Club Beginner Mechanic Session • 7:30pm (details at ubu.org.uk/activities) Student Council • 6pm (details at ubu.org.uk/representation) PTO Voting Opens • 9am, (cast your vote at ubu.org.uk/vote) Stand Up Bristol Comedy Night • 7:30pm, Ar2 (tickets at ubu.org.uk/events)
Mayoral Elections Voting Day • All day, City of Bristol (details at TBC) Friday 16th SMUT Student Media United Bar Crawl • (details at ubu.org.uk/events) Tuesday 20th Student Council • 6pm (details at ubu.org.uk/representation)
Wednesday 31st Halloween in BAR 100 • 7pm (Live music, ghoulish cocktails, + £50 prize for best costume)
Wednesday 21st NUS National Demonstration • All day, London (details at ubu.org.uk/campaigns)
Now available from the Students’ Union, the UBU Info Point and other locations around the University - pick up yours today!
UBU News | Issue 1 | 08.10.2012
Thursday 29th Butcombe Brewery Tour • 7pm, pick up from UBU (tickets at ubu.org.uk/postgrads)
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UBU Merchandise for exclusive discounts & sneak peeks!
Shop online at ubu.org.uk, at the Info Point or at the Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union
UBU News | Issue 1 | 08.10.2012
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Editor: Lizi Woolgar style@ epigram.org.uk
@e2Style
About 75, 000, 000 miles apparently, if the central metaphor of John Gray’s ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus’ is anything to go by. However, the fact that I am sitting on a train in a pair of pristinely ironed chinos, habitually correcting my James Dean-esque quiff in the carriage window whilst writing this article is a sobering reminder of how the orbits of these two planets have shifted in the past three decades. The year 1972 saw the androgynous David Bowie, make-up and all, take to the stage of Top of the Pops. Twelve years later, the gladioli-wielding Morrissey minced across the same stage, wailing angst-ridden poetry that championed the blurring of gender boundaries
male, it is relatively simple to take pride in your appearance without sacrificing any degree of your masculinity, whatever that word actually means. There is of course a balance that needs to be struck and the key is to understand the distinction between fashion and style. The ever-quotable Mr Wilde hit the nail on the head when he wrote, ‘If you can’t be a piece of art, wear a piece of art’.
True style is timeless. It’s this quality which makes it all the more important for us guys. We can’t afford the time, effort, let alone money to religiously follow seasonal trends.
More typically, we look back on some days and marvel that we remembered to wash and shave. James Dean embodied this spirit of effortlessness; as iconic in a white tee, black leather jacket and jeans as he was in a tux. That’s all very well for him, you might say, James Dean was a Hollywood star blessed with good looks and charisma to boot. I, on the other hand, am a student surviving on a diet of two for £2.50 ravioli. How can I follow Oscar Wilde’s advice and become a piece of art?
radiates from certain men when they walk into a room. Now when it comes to confidence, I am far from the greatest authority on the subject. I have battled with this issue as much as the next person throughout that traumatic period we call adolescence. However, I do believe that establishing a refined image and feeling comfortable in that image is an essential step in building your self-esteem. You will the see the fruits of your labour in your professional, academic and, if you’re lucky, romantic lives - although your wallet may object.
The secret lies in self confidence. Not boyish swagger but manly confidence, the sort of understated confidence that
Style is a conversation. It’s time to work out what you have to say. Nathan Beesley
Bomber - £60.00 Plaid shirt - £28.00
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Travel
Style
Just in case you were wondering, I don’t happen to wear make-up or strut down Whiteladies Road with a bouquet of gladioli protruding from my back pocket. On the contrary, I sincerely believe that, as a modern Flikr: Quicheisinsane
While the essence of fashion is indeed what you wear, the essence of style is something entirely different. Simply pulling on a piece of ‘art’ isn’t, unfortunately, a quick fix for everything.
‘How wide is the gap in fashion between men and women?’
Flikr: Eliza Peyton
Living
Fresh Perspective
Deputy: Anisha Gupta deputystyle@ epigram.org.uk
Dungarees - £38.00w Shoes - £32.00 Camo jacket - £75.00
Epigram
10.10.2011
18 08.10.12
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Anisha Gupta hair & p make-us artist
Review: Bristol Fashion Week
get in touch style@epigram.org.uk
Flikr: Galeria
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Complimentary Champagne ‘If my Dad could see me now he would have a heart attack’ was my first thought, as I surreptitiously sipped at my complimentary pink champagne and, peering through the cloud of dry ice, scanned the brochure for which brands would be on the catwalk that evening.
Fresh Fashions
Men’s Style
We all know that familiar back to school (or should I say university) feeling. Trailing around the shops relentlessly searching for bags that are practical enough to satisfy your mum but fashionable enough to actually be caught carrying.
Unforunately, the catwalk was lacking in imaginative and original menswear. That said, John Lewis and M & S restored my faith in the high street with a couple of notable exceptions. The former produced my favourite look of the evening; a floral shirt, toned down with an updated take on the double-breasted blazer and finished off with suede boots with vibram soles. M & S offered a good dose of heritage chic, with an abundance of florals, tweed and suede brogues.
Despite sacrificing practicality for style over the years, I have finally learnt, through far too many backaches, that a practical ‘book bag’ really is important.
Women’s Style
Why not try a sturdy satchel from The Cambridge Satchel Compahy or an embroidered Topshop backpack. You could even carry around your laptop in style with a unique range of laptop cases from Freckles and Gilbert!
When I’d finally stopped gawping at the models themselves, I found that the clothes were equally as appealing to the eye. John Lewis’ shows presented a strong Dolce and Gabbana influence, with an emphasis on floral prints with darker, autumnal base colours. Hues of mulberry, burgundy and purple were an omnipresent force, best utilised by M & S and Monsoon, amongst others.
Words: Lizi Woolgar Sketch: Sara Daoud
Highlights
Duck-egg blue satchel: The Cambridge Satchel Company Embroidered neon backpack: Topshop Vintage Tea Laptop Case: Freckles & Gilbert
A definite highlight was John Lewis’ Somerset Range, the lovechild of fashion darling Alice Temperley, a favourite of Lana del Ray, Rihanna and the Middletons. Temperley has a particular flair for designing elegant evening pieces, including a full-length black lace gown with a nude underlay. My attention was also drawn by some of her quaint vintage tea dresses. I maintain that a cute tea dress is the way to any man’s heart. (Okay, well maybe just mine then). I certainly plan to attend next year, although a more masculine hue of champagne wouldn’t go a miss! Nathan Beesley
f o t s e B The sh Fre
Boux Avenue On September 13th, I was invited to the ‘Grand Opening’ of lingerie chain Boux Avenue’s 13th UK store in Cabot Circus and was able to meet owner and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. Topics of discussion included retail, student-run businesses and of course, frilly knickers.
well equipped for creating their own start-ups, since we are familiar with ‘how to do our homework.’ The most common reason for businesses to fail, in his opinion, is through lack of research into the market. R
With feminine designs, practical underwear solutions and a range of homeware, beauty and accessories, Boux Avenue offer good value for
P ne ce s re uo Fl
money, but with customer service that you would normally only find in expensive boutiques. A free and friendly fitting service is available and purchases are lovingly wrapped into a glossy gift box with scented rose petals. Boux Avenue is Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis’s second foray into lingerie in recent years – in 2006 he sold major lingerie chain La Senza, and has several other retail ventures, including Ryman’s the Stationers and Red Letter Days When I asked him what advice he could give to budding student entreupeneurs, he told me that they are particularly
Style
Fluorescent PR: Boux Avenue
nd Year Becky, Drama, Seco
The PR event before the opening itself was wonderful, a chance for local writers and bloggers to get a chance to meet the friendly and beautiful staff, dressed in gorgeous lingerie and handing out sweeties. The only thing missing was some free bubbly! I snapped some photos and chatted to some of the sales assistants who talked us through the ranges. A particularly wonderful feature of Boux Avenue is that the lingerie is arranged by size into corresponding drawers - pun intended - underneath each display rack, making it easy to find your size in each style without having to rummage through and knock bras off hangers.
Pictured: Floral Lyle Oriental Set: £ 44
Anisha Gupta Zip Hoodie: £32
Chloe Lace Set in Pink: £28
Jason , Chemis try, First Year
To celebrate lingerie haven Boux Avenue’s arrival at Bristol’s Cabot Circus, we’re giving you the chance to win a £50 gift card to spend in store or at www. bouxavenue.com. The label for lingerie lovers a Gupta h is n A celebrates all shapes and sizes with this season’s ‘Embrace your Curves’ campaign modelled by size 16 Australian supermodel, Robyn Lawley. The collection includes an array of beautiful styles in jewel tones, luscious lace and seductive animal print, with a stunning range of nightwear, accessories, and lingerie in sizes 30A-40H and 6-20, you’re guaranteed to be spoilt for choice.
nue
WIN a £50 BOUX AVENUE gift card Fluore scent P R: Bou x Ave
Living
@e2Style
To enter simply answer the question: Who is the star of Boux Avenue’s ‘Embrace Your Curves’ campaign?
Travel
Email your answer to style@epigram.org.uk, along with your full name, address and mobile number, and a winner will be picked at random by October 31st. By entering the comp you are agreeing to receive promotional material and to be contacted by boux avenue
U! O Y ED
NE E W Yuexu, Maths, First Year
Spotted someone well dressed on campus? Want to see your own outfits featured on this page? Send us YOUR street style and outfit-ofthe-day pictures to:
style@epigram.org.uk and the best ones will be printed
08.10.12
She Wears The Trousers
Cabot Circus Fresher’s Event Student Lock-In
Meet the woman taking a fresh approach to men’s style Carolyn Massey is a rare breed. Not for her are the dilemmas of creating couture gowns and bespoke blouses. Instead, she is more interested finding the perfect cut for a suit or the ideal length for a trouser leg. Traditionally, menswear has largely been the field of expertise for male designers; But why? Men dominate the list of the greatest womenswear designers that the fashion world has ever seen- Yves St. Laurent, Oscar de la Renta, Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld- so why haven’t women been returning the proverbial favour? ‘Because until recently it has not been a viable option’, says Martine Rose, another up-and-coming menswear designer whose collection debuted with Massey’s at London Fashion Week in September 2011. Firstly, there has always been the overriding argument that men know better than women what they want out of fashion; wearable garments that are comfortable and stylish without being over the top. However, Massey is a woman who consistently achieves all of this with a flair and originality not seen for years. She is known for her quintessentially English cuts and sartorial nuances. Her designs investigate what it means to be a gentleman, and how the concept of masculinity has been shaped by our modern world. Her signature is an intriguing mixture of old-school English heritage and African elements, all topped off with contemporary detailing.
On the 15TH October, Cabot Circus is throwing the most exciting welcome back event for students by hosting a night of sensational savings. As if you needed another reason to spend your student loan, for one night only, Cabot Circus will be transformed into the ultimate student hangout offering exclusive discounts and entertainment from 6-9pm. The retailers promise a real party vibe while you shop, hosting their own DJ’s and many offering freebies to tempt you in. Last year attracted thousands of students and this year promises to be even bigger and better, with even more retailers offering fabulous discounts of up to 50%! Cabot Circus is undoubtedly the hub of Bristol fashion and there’s no better place to purchase your autumn/winter student wardrobe. In the past year, many more shops have opened in the centre, giving students a wide choice when snapping up a hotly anticipated bargain. American Apparel, Fred Perry and Superdry are just a few places that are offering an amazing 20% off, plus many many more are hoping to tempt you in with an unmissable discount as well as exclusive competitions and freebies on the night. Of course, all that shopping will have worked up an appetite so thankfully food outlets such as La Tasca and Tampopo are offering discounts of up to 50% to satisfy you hungry style-savvy students. Last year, Krispy Kreme even handed out free doughnuts, the way in which was the perfect way to fuel up for an evening of shopping! This is without doubt an event which needs to be placed at the top of your fresher’s week diary. All you have to do is visit www. studentlockin.com to pre-register for the event and get ready to give your student card a good workout!
“Her designs
Nia Warren
investigate what it means to be a gentleman,
1
Freshers’ Ess entials
and how the sey
olyn Mas
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masculinity has been shaped by our modern world” Massey completed her MA at the Royal College of Art in 2005, and her label was launched in Paris in 2006. She evolved quickly as a designer and soon her progress within the industry led the British Fashion Council to award her the NEWGEN MEN award, sponsored by Topman. This provided her with showcase funding and the opportunity to present on the official London Fashion Week schedule for the first time in 2011. In 2010 she was selected by Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief, Franca Sozzani, to be one of ten designers presenting at the Onstage Project, which allows designers the chance to collaborate with the most significant Italian textile companies. When asked why menswear is her passion, the self-confessed and detailobsessive Massey has said that she loves the honesty, that there are no frills to hide behind. ‘As a designer of menswear’, she says, ‘you are restricted with the pieces that you can create’. And she relishes this. For her most recent collection, she was inspired by two books: Jackie Nicholson’s Farm, which contains photographic portraits of African farmers and peasants, and Tibor Kalman’s Un-Fashion, which collects images from around the world representing the ceremonial dress of various cultures. Massey often elevates traditional cuts with her use of exotic, graphic prints and thoughtful details, for example; straw hats, primary colours and oversized doctor’s bags. Men really want to wear her designs. Massey’s clothes allow men to be fashionforward, without the pre-requisite for a dispensation towards crazy style statements. It is easy to see why Carolyn Massey and her fellow female designers are currently dominating the world of menswear and leaving their male counterparts in the dust.
Ellie Vincent
Chunky Kn its
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Warm shoe s 33
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Reading G lasses Face wipes Dry Shamp oo
Featured clothing: 1. Topshop knitwear, £45; 2. Topman knitwear, £28, 3. Asos flatforms, £45; 4. Asos, Nike Blazers, £65
Editor: Alicia Queiro travel@ epigram.org.uk
@e2Travel
Deputy: Alex Bradbrook deputytravel@ epigram.org.uk
St Petersburg: unwrapping the enigma
Flickr: Andifeelfine
Style
western sophistication hides the inherent ‘Russianness’ of its people. But, what is this ‘Russianness’? Their inability to smile in public, dismissing it as insincere and ridiculous? Their nationalism, which can rapidly spiral into a passionate racist discussion? Their disbelief in the Government and the elections which kept Putin safely in power? Or their overwhelming generosity and refreshing genuineness, often expressed in the form of blunt honesty? To me it was an unpredictable, random mixture of them all.
I was soon to discover that this city, designed and constructed in 1703 by European architects ordered to mimic their own, was just as unreal as the girls that inhabited it. The city is a treasure chest filled to the brim with luxurious palaces, golden fortresses and jewel-encrusted Orthodox churches. No wonder it cost the lives of thousands of Russian serfs, starved and exhausted to build Peter his city. But does this really represent the true Russia? St. Petersburg was built to be a ‘window onto Europe’, and three hundred years later its people are still aspiring to Peter the Great’s dream. After a few days in the city it is obvious that its facade of
! r u o on t Three little words. Words I never thought I would find myself bellowing at passing Spaniards at eleven o’clock in the evening: ‘Lads on tour!’ I feel I ought to elaborate. In order to celebrate graduation, my housemates have booked a four-day holiday to the Spanish coastal town of Marbella. Despite my having another year’s study ahead of me, I agreed to accompany them – largely to assuage my crippling ‘fear of missing out’, but also for the opportunity to spot one of the various species of eagle to which the Costa del Sol is home. What follows is a brief account of my experiences.
Travel
Churchill as ‘a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma’. At -10°C I had missed the coldest winter temperatures, which can plummet to as low as -40°C, and I was the only girl in Russia who seemed to notice it was still February and below freezing. The Russian girls paraded around the historical city of Peter the Great in miniskirts and stilettos, oblivious to the icy streets and frozen canals surrounding them. This was, after all, the only way to catch an eligible Russian husband – an almost extinct species.
I wake up at the crack of dawn. Our flight is not until much later in the day, but Housemate #1 (we’ll call him Adrian, because that’s his name) saw fit to arrange travel to Spain from the dubiously titled ‘London Southend Airport’. For those of you (such as Adrian) who are not au fait with the geography of the south east of England, this is akin to Bristol’s having a second airport named ‘Bristol Barry Island’.
Flickr: haz[a_a]
I arrive at the coach station and meet my compatriots: Adrian, Spray Tan, and Bloody Good Laugh. ‘Mate, what the fuck?’ enquires Spray Tan. ‘Why aren’t you wearing the t-shirt?’ (When organising the holiday, Spray Tan insisted we spend the majority of our time in matching clothes. My suggestion of collarless shirts and chinos in a selection of earth tones (what I would like to call a ‘non-uniform uniform’) fell on deaf ears, and the majority ruled in favour of paying homage to The Inbetweeners by wearing bright pink t-shirts, onto which a transfer of an improbably well-endowed cat together with the words ‘Pussay [sic] Patrol’ have been ironed. You can’t win ‘em all.) I begin to explain that I felt the inhabitants of Belgravia ought not necessarily be subjected to our particular brand of humour at this hour of the morning, but I am interrupted by the sound of opening cans. Fearing the worst, I am
My most surprising discovery was that many Russians long for the stability and routine provided by the Communist nanny state. With meagre pensions forcing old ladies to beg in the streets, immigration increasing and globalisation upsetting the status quo, many Russians yearn for the Soviet days. ‘Why would we want democracy and freedom,’ I was asked, ‘if we don’t even know what they mean?’ In place of ‘freedom’, ‘stability’ is the most attractive word for many Russians today. Consequently, perhaps the best adjective to describe the Russian character is ‘fatalist’. ‘The elections are falsified and the government is corrupt, but there is nothing we can do about it, so... what’s the point?’
Florence Ashworth Flickr: Shaheer Shahid
relieved to find that Bloody Good Laugh is dispensing Red Bull - a decidedly lesser evil than the ‘tinnies for breakfast’ that are, no doubt, still to come. The coach journey passes without incident, and we troop into the airport’s departure building with the immediate intention, according to Spray Tan, of ‘raping the Duty Free’.
“This is akin to Bristol having a second airport named Bristol Barry Island” ‘Um, I’m not quite sure what you mean by that,’ I say. ‘For a start, by virtue of having it in stock, the shops are more than willing to sell you alcohol, so there’s definite consent there. And also, you’re only allowed one item of hand luggage on Easyjet flights, which you’ve used up with your clothes and, no doubt, an absurd amount of personal grooming products.’ ‘Yeah. Not so much “raping” as “hopelessly attempting to thumb in a softie”,’ chortles Bloody Good Laugh. Spray crestfallen.
Tan
appears
After a short wait, our flight number is called, and we board the plane. I can only imagine what lies ahead.
Just a thought... When we come back from a long holiday, we find comfort in the things that we know and that are familiar to us; we can relax in the knowledge that everything’s going to be all right with a bit of Mum’s home cooking. As I begin my time in Paris, that’s how I’m feeling. I miss Bristol and the things I know; I miss the place where I don’t have to check a metro map every four stops. Then something occurred to me: how much do I really know about Bristol? When it’s my turn to talk about where I’m from, I find – to mild humiliation – that I have very little to say. Sure, I can tell you where to get a snack at 4am or a cheap pint on a Tuesday, but how much do I really know about the city that I lived in for two years? Now I’m a w a y , I wish I knew more about the place where I’ve spent so many days. I think Bristol could give Paris a run for its money, as a vibrant, independent and intriguing city. So I urge all students – returning or new – to explore a little further the place that you are going to call home, for what could be the best years of your life.
Flickr: Jonno Witts
Living
Fresh upon my arrival in St. Petersburg as an ab initio Russian student, it would be an understatement to say I was overwhelmed by what I found, in a land described by
AIRMAIL
A day in... Bordeaux
The French value their leisure time more than most, and Saturday in Bordeaux captures that laid-back, froggy emphasis on joie de vivre. Begin with a stroll through the historic, UNESCOacknowledged city-centre, which blends spectacle and intimacy effortlessly; buried amongst the monuments are cobbled streets that spill into charming squares such as Place du Parlement. Having paused for an espresso and a chocolatine – the local word for pain au chocolat – head over to the Marché des Capucins in Saint Michel, the city’s more bohemian district.
– yes, apparently it’s still cool in France. If cycling is not your thing, try a swim at Piscine Judaïque, a fifty-metre pool. Beware though: swimming caps are mandatory and board shorts are strictly forbidden... I learned the hard way.
Will Dyson
Flickr: gadl
08.10.12
A hive of activity, this market is home to a wealth of delicious local foods – be it the gigantic cheese stall, the wine stand or the mind-boggling array of baguettes – and the very French sight of people enjoying oysters and white wine at 11am. Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s longest municipal shopping street, will be next on your itinerary. If you are after more independent stores, Rue des Remparts and the area around Place Camille Jullian are worth a look in.
“Saturday in Bordeaux captures that laidback, froggy emphasis on joie de vivre” For a hearty lunch, look no further than the Café des Arts on Cours Victor Hugo. A traditional brasserie with a lively atmosphere, the menu boasts classics such as camembert rôti and steak tartare. Then hop on a rentable bike for a riverside cycle; heading down towards Chartrons, you will get a good idea of the scale of the city as you weave your way past rollerbladers and skateboarders
From six o’clock onwards, café terraces all over Bordeaux fill up for one of the city’s most beloved rituals: the aperitif. For supper, Le Petit Commerce on Rue Parlement Saint-Pierre is an affordable seafood restaurant – the razor clams are particularly good. For a post-dinner drink, head to Apollo, a funk and James Browninspired bar. Usually jam-packed with students, it is a good jumping-off point for the electro music at Iboat. If you feel like taking it easy, try Utopia: a former church that has been converted into a cinema, it prides itself on steering well clear of 3D blockbusters in favour of ‘proper’ cinema, where suitably arty films can be followed by a post-mortem in the bar. Bordeaux has a grandeur and character that have earned it the nickname of ‘the Paris of the south’, though a convivial and intimate atmosphere sets it apart from the icy capital – and this is, in my opinion, why it trumps Paris. If you are looking for the city that has it all, you will be hard pressed to find better. Will Dyson
Dear E2 ,
They look cu may te and cuddly, but the m acaque monkey s of Malaysia a r e anythin g but. Under soft fu their r and i n n o c expre e n t ssions lurks a much darker Venture side. t Batu C o the aves of Kuala L umpur and yo u faced w ’ll be it banana h a mob of ch -s ee Beware natching prim ky, ! ates.
James C rosby-
Gayler
Finding my feet: A fresher in Barcelona
Flickr: Ran Yaniv Hartstein
A year abroad, much like Freshers’ Week, is often advertised as The Best Time of Your Life. The pressure of this promise often leads to excessive consumption of alcohol and a fair bit of Facebook stalking to check other people aren’t having a better time than you, whilst lurching between having a brilliant time to feeling unsettled and missing your mum. Two years ago I made the leap from small town life in Yorkshire to independent university living in Bristol. I now find myself in the position of a fresher once again – this time uprooted from lovely Bristol to big scary Barcelona, with the small added complications of a foreign language, culture and climate to adjust to. And foreign I certainly do feel: the truly disorganised nature of Barcelona University has me dreaming about the horrors of Spanish bureaucracy. Determined not be the tourist who gets mugged on La Rambla, I walk around the streets clutching my bag like it’s a small child under my watch. I scour the supermarket in search of familiar foods and patiently wait for the man to turn green before I cross the busy roads. Yet this nagging feeling of being truly alien in a new place will not stop me from adopting that annoying year abroad persona: the person who frequently updates their status with things along the lines of ‘is having the MOST amazinggggg time in Barcelona!’ And this is true – I am, all in all, having a brilliant time. However, the moments we neglect to share with people over social networking sites are the ones in which we feel scared, overwhelmed and a bit vulnerable. At these points, the inhabitants of cosmopolitan Barcelona can look ever so cool and intimidating. My advice for anyone experiencing such feelings of inferiority would be to go to a beginners’ rollerblading session and watch these people fall over.
x
u o y h Wis ! e r e h e wer
If I were to pick an event from my first two weeks in Spain to best encapsulate the start of my new experience it would have to be a spontaneous fainting incident outside a club in El Raval. Having never fainted before, this slightly startling event goes to show just how overwhelming the first few days of my year abroad have been. But having picked myself up (literally) and treaded boldly forward, I have learnt to take the rough with the smooth, enjoy the truly wonderful bits of this experience whilst learning from the more challenging ones. And so, feeling quietly optimistic about the year to come, I sit on my terrace writing this article, with a bump on the head and a cigarette in hand. Oh, I feel ever so cool and independent! While part of me yearns for Bristol the other is quite content here. I have come to realise that this will be a year of ups and downs and – as long as this does not entail anymore head trauma – I am quite content with that. Sophie Padgett - Foreign Correspondent in Spain