Rookie Issue 1 by Rookie Magazine

the launch/ feb 2012

EDITOR’S NOTE I thought I’d drop a line to thank everyone for their support and contributions prior to the launch of our new magazine, and I would also like to welcome all of our readers to the very first issue of Rookie. I would also like to acknowledge and thank the Rookie team for all of their hard work and determination to get the magazine onto its feet, and now it’s here, we are all very excited to share it with you. We are a small but hard working team and always have our readers interests in mind. We intend to give our readers an honest and personal opinion on the items we review and believe in every brand we support in our articles. As a London magazine, we love taking any opportunity to write about London based fashion designers, beauty brands and inspired makeup looks on local celebrities. Look forward to reading exciting interviews with The Ting Tings’ Katie White, fashion designer Basharatyan V, and a beauty masterclass with Benefit’s Lisa Potter Dixon, as well as our fashion and beauty favourites of this month. Personally, I am very excited about London Fashion Week and wish to bring our Rookie readers the highlights of the event in our next issue. And now Spring/Summer is upon us, (despite the current snow blizzards) I am definitely looking forward to what fashion has to offer, and I am particularly excited to get out of the black and start sporting some sorbet shades for those hot, lazy days spent in London parks. I hope you enjoy the issue and are as excited as we are for the launch of our magazine, and I wish you all the very best for 2012!

Lucia Binding Twitter: @luciabinding Contact: lucia.binding@rookiemagazine.com

ROOKIE london

E S T.

MMXII

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LUCIA BINDING

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ART DIRECTOR SEBASTIAN KOSEDA

FASHION

LUCIA BINDING LAURA GREGORY

BEAUTY

LUCIA BINDING LAURA GREGORY SADIA NAJIB

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE ASHA LADWA ANA TEPSANU LUCIA BINDING PHIL HAYES

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

CONTENTS 5

FASHION 19

BEAUTY 33 LIFE STYLE& CULTURE

7 9 11 13 15 17

INTERVIEW WITH FASHION DESIGNER BASHARATYAN V LIPSY SS12 COLLECTION ROOKIE’S TREND PICKS FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2012 INTERVIEW WITH HANDBAG DESIGNER ALEXANDRA DE CURTIS DIY RIPPED SHORTS FAVOURITE LONDON DESIGNER/ CI CI

21 THE SECRET TO PERFECT SKIN/ SOAP & GLORY MAKEUP REVIEW 23 LISA POTTER DIXON’S MAKEUP MASTERCLASS 25 MILLIE MACKINTOSH INSPIRED MAKEUP LOOK 27 SKINCARE REVIEW/ EVE LOM EYE CREAM 29 FOUNDATION REVIEW/ NARS SHEER GLOW 31 DIY BEAUTY TREATMENTS

34 35 37 39 41 45 46 47

KANGOO JUMPS FILM REVIEW/ THE ARTIST FRANK OCEAN PLACE TO VISIT/ BUCHAREST INTERVIEW WITH THE TING TINGS AN EVENING AT THE OPERA THE BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA ALBUM REVIEW/ THE MACCABEES

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

on the PANTONE fashion colour report *based spring 2012

fashion Cockatoo, a tactile bluegreen, is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will surely make a statement this spring. Driftwood for a more practical variation. For an even safer bet, add a natural neutral like Starfish to the mix.*

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

BΛSHΛRΛ INTERVIEW

What is the most unusual inspiration for a design? I think it’s hard to point out one or two unusual things for a design as most designers always get inspired by quite unusual stuff. A designer can create a collection out of a certain position of a tiny piece of garbage on the street. Do you have any advice for a young person trying to break into the fashion industry? My main advice would be to be fearless. Always follow your heart and never give up. Fashion is a very tough business and being creative is far from being all that it takes to be a successful designer. Only those who can listen to critics, take it into consideration but still not be afraid to experiment can succeed.

When it comes to your designs, how would you like women to feel when wearing them? I would like women to feel feminine and at the same time very self confident. BASHARATYAN V clothing is for those who are not afraid to look different “I’m ready to fight it and move forward no matter how hard the road will be.” Did you attend university, if so, where? And did you enjoy it? I first studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and design (London), where I did a foundation course that actually made me understand that I was more into working with textures and fabrics rather than just designing womenswear. So I then attended London College of Fashion on a Surface

Textiles Course, where I got my Bachelor Degree. I also took summer courses in IstitutoMarangoni (Milan) – to get a broader knowledge about the world of fashion.

It just makes you realize how much more you need to achieve to keep this status. It’s the beginning of a long and hard, but definitely breathtaking journey.

I loved studying. It made me realise what my personal taste is and how to create final pieces and produce collections out of that creative chaos that you sometimes have in your mind.

Is becoming a fashion designer something you have always known you wanted to do?

If you were to describe your personal style in a few words, what would they be? Sophisticated, bold shaped, carefully thought over. How does it feel to be named one of the hottest up and coming designers in the biggest city in the world? >

“Surreal Hidden beauty”

Yes. I dreamt about becoming a fashion designer since I was seven. I “designed” clothes when I was a kid from everything I had at hand – socks would go underneath the skirt to give it volume, leggings would become a boa for an evening gown in an instant. I personally would love to break into the fashion industry with design, what advice would you have? Don’t be afraid of anything. Be confident about what you are

ΛTYΛN V. INTERVIEW

doing and only do it if you really enjoy and love doing it.

collection, what is your main design process?

You have a very futuristic style, it reminds me of the idea of life on mars, was this an idea in your design process?

The design process starts with an idea and then an extensive research. I brainstorm by writing words, associations and do some quick sketches. Then I spend time in the library and research everything that is connected to the chosen theme or to sub themes that follow from the main one. After the library research I go on a fabric research. I check out my personal list of fabric shops and only after getting enough samples I start concentrating on the form that usually follows from both types of research.

My theme was Surreal Hidden Beauty. The idea of hidden beauty comes from Middle Eastern Women and how they are restricted in their movement in almost all spheres of life – hence the lack of movement in clothing, stitched in sleeves and legs. The Surreal bit of the collection was presented in the futuristic shape of shoes, bold body con shapes. I always play on clash between two notions – I like the idea of combining the incompatible or things that wouldn’t normally be combined. When starting a new

Do you try to send out a message or theme in your clothes? In the collection Surreal Hidden beauty I wanted to tell the world about

the richness of Iranian culture and the beauty of Farsi languages. Each piece is influenced by a certain song in Iranian and incorporates lyrics from this song – therefore when you buy it you don’t only get a nicely designed item from the latest BΛSHΛRΛTYΛN V

collection but also get “emotions and feelings hidden underneath the lyrics of the song”. Each piece comes with a rhymed English translation so that every customer can choose not only between shape, fabric and colour but also between emotions and words that come with it. What do you think is your strengths and weaknesses in the art of fashion?

and downs on the way. But I’m ready to fight it and move forward no matter how hard the road will be. Who is your favourite designer, and who is your main inspiration? When I speak about designers it is very hard to name one or two. I think each designer is talented and has his or her own audience and a place to be. Sometimes finding this audience takes a while but it is worth the time. I respect works of all designers, I learn from them and I hope that one day my work will also be an inspiration for young and upcoming designers. WORDS// LAURA GREGORY

I know that it is just the beginning of a long and very hard journey, so there will be lots of ups

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

LIPSY

SS12

.COLLECTION. High street fashion favourite Lipsy is introducing a diverse Spring/Summer collection with something for every woman’s wardrobe next season. The line ranges from cool, contemporary daytime wear to ultra-glamorous eveningwear choices. The Lipsy SS12 collection has embraced every key new trend out there, giving you an insight into how to make them work and offering style solutions for every occasion. Expect to see a variety of tropical inspired looks with a collection of vibrant eveningwear, perfect for a hot summer’s night. The vivid tropical prints are placed on slinky silhouettes, halter necklines and long flowing skirts for an

experimental evening look, whilst the Versace inspired prints on the fun and flirty sundresses add a fresh dimension to the collection. To make things more exotic, Lipsy have incorporated a daring new tribal theme into the SS12 collection, combining striking digital tribal prints on body conscious silhouettes with

cut away necklines and pop-colour embellishments for night-time glamour. A daring collection that is sure to turn heads, the tribal-tech range sees a base monochrome colour palette brought to life with electric on-trend flashes of neon pink, green, purple and orange – a must have look for next season.

The Lipsy SS12 collection has also delved into retroinspired creations, giving a nod to Chanel’s pretty pastels and Louis Vuitton’s girly glamour with the influence of 1950s fashion evident throughout the range. The classic prom dress shape of the era is recycled and conformed into an updated, current and ultra-feminine structure. These vintage silhouettes land straight into 2012 with its cutwork detailing, subtle embroidery and intricate beading using a sugary colour palette of sweet sorbet shades. To the more sophisticated and professional ladies out there, Lipsy’s new daytime collection should be something to get very excited over. Their more grown up range, which is inspired by Chanel and dabbles

sexiest daytime look this summer. Pair with tanned legs and you’re good to go.

in 1960s silhouettes with high-waisted shorts and Peter Pan collars, is my favourite part of the SS12 collection. This part of the line sees fitted shift dresses, scalloped hem short suits, beautiful sleeveless collared blouses and Chanel-esque tweed for workwear with a signature Lipsy edge. Texture and detail is a prominent and well considered aspect throughout this range with 3D flowers, soft boucle and heavy lace in a pastel colour palette, perfect for spring, with the occasional flash of floral and leopard print. I wouldn’t hesitate to team a pair of Lipsy’s high-waisted shorts with one of their detailed blouses and a tweed jacket with my favourite pair of brogues and ankle socks for a walk through a London park this spring.

Lipsy has enjoyed success at the forefront of high street fashion, ensuring the hottest looks convert from catwalk to high street in the blink of an eye. The brand’s creations regularly rival designer looks on the red carpet in London, New York and LA – as seen on Pixie Lott, Jessica Lowndes and Kim Kardashian. Loved by celebrities and style-lovers alike, Lipsy’s trendy creations are available from over 300 stockists nationwide, including 44 standalone stores, Topshop, House of Fraser and at Lipsy. co.uk and ASOS,com, as well as Bloomingdales throughout the U.S. WORDS// LUCIA BINDING

The last part of the collection I have left to talk about is inspired by the sunny laid-back lifestyle of LA, with the range consisting of relaxed sun dresses in a colour palette of faded pastels and washed out denims, exasperated by bold block colour brights. The California inspired range introduces coloured denim in the forms of micro hot-pants, sleeveless jackets and short dungarees that sit alongside bright jersey tops and playsuits in bright florals and ditsy prints for their

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

ROOK favourite tre

Spring/Su

1920s

The Rookie team are

Over the years fashion has taken us into a time machine and experimented with looks from the 50s, 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, 70s and back to the 40s with contemporary versions of the most iconic pieces from each era.

particularly excited to see the return of soft sorbet shades that are a must-have this Spring/ Summer 2012. With a gorgeous colour palette that cannot be ignored, this trend is versatile and can work with any skin tone.

Now, designers are daring to go even further back in time for inspiration, and this Spring/Summer will see the revitalisation of the glamorous and breakthrough era of the 1920s.

Colour is an essential part of Spring/Summer, and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think of a better way to embrace those ice cream shades and hot sunny days than with a burst of colour for your wardrobe.

Think The Great Gatsby, Coco Chanel and the return of the flapper cocktail dresses â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a time when fashion opened its eyes to the endless possibilities of modern style, ditching those uncomfortable corsets and rigid dresses. It is the return of true femininity, from floral patterns to elegant silhouettes -expect to see slouchy silk and loose fitting dresses, flapper-inspired pieces complete with drop waists and fringe embellishments accessorised with beads, crystals and pearls.

Sorbet

And there is no escaping this ubiquitous summer trend as it continues to litter the catwalk with eatable zesty lemons and pristine peaches seen on the catwalks of 3.1 Phillip Lim and Preen.

Tip: Accessorise a straight-cut silk cocktail dress with a 1920s inspired box clutch, pearls, and court heels for that fabulous flapper-inspired look.

For those of you who like bolder and even outrageous colours, look forward to seeing bright neon greens, shocking pinks and tropical hues that will also be an essential colour palette this 2012. Tip: To make this trend work for you, choose the right shades that work with your skin tone, and clash with bright colours or neutrals.

KIE’S ends for this

mmer 2012

Floral Prints Now, I have never been one to really love floral prints, but this season sees an interesting recreation of the feminine trend that encapsulates empowerment and confidence with its bold prints and colours. Spring/Summer 2012 is all about being bold with large floral prints, and I have to say, I’ve been converted. This trend is not about being soft and feminine, as the word ‘floral’ would have you believe, but it’s about making a statement. And it’s about making a head-to-toe statement, forget floral blouses, this trend is encouraging women to be bold in a more or less entire floral trouser suit. Tip: If you don’t fancy looking like a humansize geranium, a bold floral print dress or jumpsuit teamed with solid accessories such as chunky heels and an oversized bag. WORDS// LUCIA BINDING

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

INTERVIEW

ALEXANDRA DE CURTIS You’ve got such an innovative approach to handbag design, where do you get your design inspiration from? For Spring/Summer 2012, I drew inspiration from the Oscar-award winning movie Black Swan by Darren Aronofsky. Soft lambskin bandages bring to mind the ribbons on ballet slippers, while soft rose, lilac and ivory colours accentuate the lightness of movement. The collection is based on the creative concept of ‘simple serenity’: a blend of modernity and romance, achieved by mixing the linear with the loose; clean lines, ethereal shapes and no ruffles in sight. A soft design approach and some playful experimentation with materials and textures give life to a soft and feminine collection. How would you describe your signature style? I am very casual jeans and cashmere sweaters are my everyday staple and I absolutely love winter

coats and jackets. If you are wearing a special coat then it really doesn’t matter what you’re wearing underneath! Do you have a favourite design, if so which one? I have been working on the concept of the Rita box clutch for a few years now, so I am very excited to finally share it with everyone. It is the kind of bag that is elegant and timeless but which looks equally stunning with an evening dress or with a pair of jeans. My everyday bag is the Audrey tote; it’s the perfect size to carry all my daily necessities! How long does it take to create one of your pieces? It really depends on the model we are making, for example, the larger totes like the Audrey and the Alexis take a couple of days to make, but for the Rita box clutch it can take up to 2 weeks. First we need to shape the brass to make the personalised clasp, then it is bathed in the gold, once this is done the shell of the bag is sent to another

INTERVIEW lab where we cut the leather and fit it perfectly around the box clutch and sew in the lining.

quite similar to snakeskin, it provides an undeniably high level of versatility, beauty and luxury.

Have you had any celebrities wear your bags?

However, because it is made from organically farmed salmon skin and not from any endangered species, you can use it and enjoy it with a clear conscience.

Kimberley Walsh recently wore one of my Rita box clutches to her 30th birthday bash. Who would you love to wear one of your bags? Of course I would be honoured for someone like Gwyneth Paltrow or Reese Witherspoon to be seen wearing one of my bags, but for me, it is more important to see any well-dressed woman on the street wearing one of my designs. That is what makes me the happiest. What can we expect from Alexandra de Curtis in the next year? I am really happy with my SS2012 collection, I really feel that the designs are true to my initial concepts and I am very excited to see them in stores. I am also launching a line of ethical handbags made with salmon skin.

The leather is elegantly light and luxuriously soft and has a hydro repellant coating. It is remarkably durable and it is produced from eco-friendly European manufacturing of the highest standards. I truly believe in promoting environmental sustainability, and in the past there were few materials that enabled you to create a truly luxurious product. The Nanai salmon skin is a socially responsible material that has achieved this. What do you think is your strengths and weaknesses in the art of fashion?

structurally beautiful, but also practical. On the other hand, it can also become a weakness; as much as I believe fashion to be an art form, I sometimes have a hard time going completely abstract with my designs, as I always have the end customer in mind!

How long did it take to break into the industry?

it is more important to see any well-dressed woman on the street wearing one of my designs. That is what makes me the happiest. Salmon skin leather is a superior alternative to other exotic leathers. With an appearance

Thanks to my background in marketing, I really understand the importance of the end customer, her needs, her likes and dislikes, and this is definitely one of my strengths; being able to design a bag that is not only

I would say about five years.

Did you attend a university, if so which one?

I initially studied Art History and Communication at Santa Clara University in the USA, but after I changed careers I signed up for a postgraduate diploma at Cordwainers College, London College of Fashion, to purse a course in Fashion Accessories.

WORDS// LAURA GREGORY

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

D . I . Y FA S H I O N

DiY Ripped shorts

Sick of having all those out of style jeans in the back of your wardrobe? No need to worry, here is a great way to re-use them and make them into something unique and stylish. Why spend over ÂŁ30 when you can make them for next to nothing!

STEP 1.

Put your jeans on and mark the length you would like them to be. Make sure you add another 1.5cm onto this length for the fraying at the bottom. Take the jeans off and cut them at the marked length.

STEP 2. If you wanted the ripped effect throughout the shorts, you will need a razor blade to make small slits into the shorts, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get too carried away as the rip gets bigger and bigger throughout the process. To get a more intense ripped effect, get some sand paper and sand at the ripped parts of the shorts.

STEP 3. Fill a bucket with about a 1 1/2 cups of bleach, then fill halfway with water. Leave them to soak over night.

STEP 4. Take the shorts out of the bleach and rinse them out in the sink before putting them in the washing machine. You may need to wash them twice to ensure you get rid of all the bleach. Once they are washed and dried you will have your final product. You can then accessorize your shorts by adding studs or fabric patches to really make them one of a kind. These shorts are a must for Spring/Summer, so get creative on a budget guys!

WORDS// LAURA GREGORY

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

FAVOURITE LON

ith their Peter Pan collar dresses and floaty blouses and skirts, we can’t resist adoring Ci Ci’s beautiful and detailed designs which look simultaneously chic, quirky and elegant. Launched in 2007 by London based fashion designer Lulu Yuen, Ci Ci concentrates on creating sweet, feminine, romantic and floaty chiffon dresses with

original designs to add a unique touch. I first discovered Ci Ci when I was browsing through the rails in the Laden Showroom, Brick Lane, a shop that is well known to sell local designers’ lines for reasonable prices. I couldn’t help but notice the eye-catching details and colours on the blouses and dresses, and always find plenty I like which

leaves me spoilt for choice. Every time I visit Topshop Oxford Circus I head straight to the ground floor and rummage through the Ci Ci rail to find myself lusting after most of the collection. Yuen’s feminine and unique designs are perfect for a night on the town for a trendy, sophisticated and charmingly quirky look, whilst her detailed

blouses are casual enough to team with your favourite pair of skinny jeans and flats for lunch with a friend. Ci Ci’s dresses retail for around the £48 mark, with skirts from £38 and blouses usually £45 - not bad for the instant glamour and effortless style you’re getting with these gorgeous designs by a talented London designer. Why not have a look for yourself by clicking on the title

DON DESIGNER

I head straight to the ground floor and rummage through the Ci Ci rail to find myself lusting after most of the collection. Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

WORDS// LUCIA BINDING

on the PANTONE fashion colour report *based spring 2012

BEAUTY CABARET IS A SENSUAL AND INTENSE ROSYRED — AN EXCELLENT CHOICE FOR SUMMER CLOTHING AND COSMETICS.*

PROVOCATIVE TANGERINE TANGO, AN ENTICING JUICY ORANGE, IS A VIVACIOUS AND APPEALING REFRESHER TO ENLIVEN ANYONE’S OUTLOOK THIS SPRING.*

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

BEAUTY

The Secret to Perfect Skin {Alpha H Liquid Gold}

WORDS// LUCIA BINDING

Alpha H Liquid Gold is a revitalising and firming solution that contains Glycolic Acid. It also contains Licorice plant extract that derives from traditional Chinese medicine and has been used for over 3000 years, even being found in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs. It has made a comeback in our hectic modern day lives, in the form of Liquid Gold, which is an effective resurfacing and firming lotion for the skin. It jump-starts the skin’s metabolism as well as tightening enlarged pores, and

clears up your skin to reveal a radiant and more even skin tone. I know the word ‘acid’ and ‘skin’ in the same sentence would scare the life out of most people, but trust me, this has been hailed as a miracle skincare ‘must have’ in the beauty world and has been raved about by bloggers and guru’s for the last year. And best of all, it really works. You are advised to apply this liquid skin refiner at night time, approximately three times a week, and after your normal cleansing and toning regime.

Soap & Glory

Put a generous amount onto a cotton pad and wipe it over your face before you go to bed - and don’t apply any moisturiser after so it can work to its full effect! You will feel a tingling sensation on your skin as the Liquid Gold gets to work, and over a few weeks you will start to notice your clearer, more refined and even skin tone. We promise you will notice the difference, even after a couple of days, so try it now and tell us what you think!

MAKEUP REVIEW

Since 2006, Soap and Glory have been bringing fantastic and memorable-scented bath, beauty and body products to the UK. From first launching a lip gloss to creating the award-winning Soap and Glory’s Righteous Body Butter, each following product has been tremendous. The three main scents of Soap and Glory are The Original Pink, Mist You Madly and Fruitigo. I personally love the The Original Pink, with its refreshing summery scent and outburst of orange leaf, lemon, peach, sweet strawberries, summer rose, gardenia blossoms and jasmine. This iconic scent has been one of Soap and Glory’s most popular. I am definitely a fan of their products, especially the The Scrub Of Your Life, an exfoliating body scrub which revitalises your skin and makes it look and feel radiant. Now I am even more pleased with Soap and Glory for launching a makeup range, which consists of thirteen products. I headed down to my local Boots to see whether it was out, and when I finally managed to find it, I was spoilt for choice. The products I purchased were Show Good Face, a 2 in 1 foundation and primer, Love At First Blush, a multi-shade shimmer powder and Supercat, a carbon black eyeliner pen.

BEAUTY

Show Good Face In my opinion, this foundation is definitely worth the money, after all it is a 2 in 1 foundation and primer. This skin energising foundation comes in only six shades, which, for a highly reputable brand like Soap and Glory, isn’t fantastic. But after trying and testing, I decided that the shade A Nude Peach was the most likely to match my skin tone. It gives a silky, luminous finish and is long lasting, and doesn’t look cakey. If you’re after a flawless, bright finish with a light, buildable coverage, then this could be the foundation for you. It felt uber light when I first applied it, even though it contains SPF 15. I would rate this product four out of five stars, and would definitely recommend it if you are looking for a light-feel foundation with a dewy finish. £11.00 for 30ml.

Love At First Blush

Supercat I always apply a liquid eyeliner to my top lash line as it helps to open up the eyes and make them look bigger. I had never used a pen applicator before, but this extreme marker tip eyeliner gave an easy and precise line. Use the thick part to achieve a dramatic look or the fine tip if you want a more natural and slightly thicker lash line. Infused with Soap and Glory’s Inkjet colour release and Gloss-Fix finish, it will give you a long lasting and intense black line. The best thing about this product is that it removes without hassle. Five stars for this because it’s going straight into my handbag.

This product is one of my favourites from the range. A shimmery powder in shades Pink, Pop and Pearl - this product will enhance the apple of your cheeks, giving you a rosy, radiant glow. Simply swirl a brush over one or two colours, knock the excess off, then smile to expose the apple of your cheeks and apply. To turn your rosiness up, go for all three shades. This shimmery powder looks beautiful once on and will do your cheeks justice even for those late nights. Five stars for this! And thank you to Soap and Glory for introducing such an amazing product. £11.00 for 7.5g. WORDS// SADIA NAJIB

£ 6.00 for 1.60g.

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

Benefit Co

LISA LISAPOTTE POTT

MAKE-UP MA

Full lips, pore minimizer, no more dark circles, See what Head trend artist Lisa Potter Dixon has to say What is the mo s t i m p o r ta n t b e a u t y advice that you c a n g i v e t o w o m e n ? Great brows frame your face and enhance your eyes, so it is extremely important to keep them gorgeously groomed at all times.

How does your p r i m e r d i f f e r f r o m others? Use Benefit’s Porefessional Balm on your shiny sections. Unlike other primers, not only will this give you a perfect, weightless and airbrushed finish, it also helps to minimize pores and fine lines!

How can I ma k e m y l i p s a p p e a r fuller? Don’t worry, the popular ‘statement lips’ trend works for everyone. Top tip-before applying your lip colour, exfoliate your lips with Benefit’s Dr.feel good lipscription to make them silky smooth. We often forget about our lips in our daily skincare routine, even though they are one of the most sensitive parts of the face. To avoid chapped lips this winter, exfoliate your lips twice a week. I love Benefit’s B.right exfoliator as the exfoliating extracts are completely spherical, making them super gentle on the skin. Rather than use a gloss, try Benefit’s Benetint Lip Balm. This balm is packed full of vitamin c, yet it still gives you a touch of colour and a nonstick gloss! Perfect for fuller looking lips!

How can I hid e t h e da r k c i r c l e s under the eyes ? Lemon Aid helps neutralise redness on the eyelid, while Erase Paste camouflages dark circles, shadows and discoloration under the eye.

osmetics

TER ER DIXON’S DIXON’S

ASTERCLASS

Are there any especially impressive p r o d u c t s t h at c o n s u m e r s n e e d t o know about? Missing that ‘something’ from your pre party look? Well ladies, all you need to shimmer and shine is to add a little highlighter! Apply Benefit’s Watt’s up around the brow bones and cheek bones, down the centre of the nose and around the cupids bow to lighten, brighten and heighten your look in an instant!

W h at s h o u l d e v e ry w o m a n h av e i n h e r m a k e u p b ag ? Brows a-go-go - a genius design, everything you need in a handy cute palette!

Why choose benefit? Quirky, glam and 100% gorgeous, Benefit Cosmetics is like a sweet shop for grown up girls! Founded in San Francisco in the 1970s, Benefit has made a name for itself by creating world-class, reputable products that offer simple yet effective answers to everyday beauty dilemmas. With award winning cult products such as High Beam, Benetint and Dr Feelgood, the kitsch packaging and cheeky, feel good product names, Benefit puts the fun back into makeup... From catwalk to high street, Benefit Cosmetics have got the look covered.

WORDS// LAURA GREGORY

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

MILLIE MACKINTOSH I N S P I R E D Made in Chelsea’s Millie Mackintosh always looks flawless, if it’s going for a relaxed lunch with Caggie and co. on the show or if it’s being spotted at a glamorous London fashion event. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get that gorgeous and radiant Millie-inspired look which will compliment any outfit this Spring/Summer.

Apply this with either your fingers, sponge or a brush and blend it out evenly, concentrating on the centre of your face where there may be discolouration and buffing it out so that the foundation disappears to the sides.

After cleansing and moisturising, prep and prime your skin ready for foundation. Stila’s One Step Bronze is a great primer that brings out the tones in olive skin and is perfect if you want a sun-kissed look – even before you’ve applied any makeup.

Millie has great skin and probably doesn’t wear a great deal of foundation, but if you’re looking for a dewy foundation with a light, buildable coverage, Chanel’s Vitalumiere Aqua is a great option.

L O O K

M M

Next, fill your eyebrows in if you need to, which will frame your face. Mac’s matte eyeshadows in cool brown tones such as Charcoal Brown are great for a natural and soft finish, applied with a small or angled brush of your choice.

Now you’ve done your base and eyebrows, take a concealer to cancel out any under eye circles and any blemishes you may have. Collection 2000’s Lasting Perfection Concealer is a cheap and cheerful but brilliant cover up that lasts all day and leaves a flawless finish.

To get Millie’s defined yet beautifully sun-kissed complexion, use Laguna Bronzer by Nars, (a favourite of Millie’s) and apply with a tapered or bronzing brush just underneath the cheekbones, jawline, temples and nose.

M M 10

For that extra definition and seamless glow, apply a highlighter on the tops of your cheekbones with your ring finger so that when your face catches the light your skin will look polished and luminous. Try Mac’s Cream Colour Base in Pearl.

. For definition in the crease, apply a small amount of a darker brown, matte shadow, such as Urban Decay’s Buck or Mac’s Charcoal Brown, and gently blend into the crease, building up the intensity if needs be.

. Now apply a black eyeliner of your preference on the top lash line for extra glamour. My favourite is Shu Uemura’s Painting Liner, which is blacker than black and stays put all night long.

11.

. Now for the eyes. Apply an eyelid primer beforehand to prep the lid for eyeshadow and to even out skin tone. Mac’s Paint Pots work a treat.

. Millie likes a neutral eye, so to add to the bronzed look, apply a shimmery gold eyeshadow all over the lid such as Urban Decay’s Half Baked, and blend out with a MAC 217.

M M

To get Millie’s voluminous lashes without having to apply fake ones, try Bourjois’ Volumizer Mascara, which has 2 steps to create the fake lash effect.

. Finally, onto the lips. Millie is a fan of a nude lip which compliments her tanned complexion. Line the lips with a nude lip liner, such as No 7’s Perfect Lips Liner in Nude, and apply a nude lipstick with pink and brown undertones, such as Hug Me by Mac.

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

WORDS// LUCIA BINDING

SKINCARE REVIEW

EVE LOM EYE CREAM/ CREME CONTOUR DES YEUX Established in the UK 25 years ago by one of the world’s leading facial therapists, Eve Lom is still at its peak, winning numerous awards and having VOGUE brand their cleanser “probably the best cleanser in the world”.

Retailing at £48, this is a fantastic product that does pretty much everything it says on the tin, (well, very pretty frosted jar) and is perfect if you’re in your 20s-30s.

eyes, and lightly dot it on the brow bone and all along the bone under the eye, tapping it in with my ring finger which also gets the circulation going to help reduce any puffiness.

All of that said, Eve Lom would be my go to skincare brand if their products were more affordable/didn’t cost an absolute bomb.

It sure does have age defying peptides which help prevent premature aging, but leaves you something to move onto when you’re older, such as their very popular Eye Lift cream, (£46).

Be sure not to go too crazy on the amount of eye cream you use, as putting more on can lead to the opposite effect and cause puffiness and premature lines around the eyes.

I will eagerly anticipate the day (and be surprised) when I can afford their luxurious cleanser which retails at £50 per 100ml - but for now I’m sticking to my good old Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish.

Since using it for a few months I have found that I seldom have dark circles, even after staying up all night doing work or after a night out, and any other excuses for sleep deprivation.

The only con I can really state about this eye cream is the price (shocker!) which is a little excessive for someone in their 20s and caught up in the tornado that is the financial crisis.

But, yes that’s a big ‘but’ - being the eye cream fanatic that I am, and owning approximately ten different (and unfinished) eye creams, I could not resist the splurge when I came across a rare 20% off at John Lewis one rainy, dismal Saturday.

I use a pea sized amount morning and night, which does both

The other thing I could call a con is the packaging. Despite

it being a beautiful little frosted jar that looks ravishing on my dressing table, I have always felt that pumps are more hygienic and make the ingredients in the product last longer as it isn’t exposed to air and bacteria that may be lingering on fingers. All in all, this is a wonderful eye cream from Eve Lom’s beautifully luxurious skincare range, and is definitely a good investment as it lasts such a long time. I have been using mine for three months now and it looks like I’ve barely skimmed the surface. So if you’re an eye cream enthusiast in your 20s, this is definitely worth trying. Buy it online now: Click on the title.

So there I was, subconsciously gliding towards the Eve Lom counter and having a sniff around the fancy range. It wasn’t long before I spotted the new eye cream that had been causing such a fuss, the EYE CREAM/ CREME CONTOUR DES YEUX.

WORDS// LUCIA BINDING

Now i SELDOM HAVE dark circles, even after staying up all night doing work or after a night out

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

NARS Nars says: A glowing, satinfinish foundation with sheer and buildable coverage. Replete with skincare benefits and the NARS Complexion Brightening Formula, skin is hydrated, more luminous, softer and smoother. Used daily, Sheer Glow Foundation improves skin brightness, radiance and texture. For normal to dry skin types.

* Minimizes visible discoloration * Brightens and clarifies overall skin tone * Improves skin luminosity and radiance * Hydrates for softer and smoother skin * Dermatologist tested. Noncomedogenic. Fragrance Free

I’d had my eye on this foundation for a while, and after hearing such wonderful things about it, I promptly popped it onto my wishlist. After saving up my pennies I decided to head down to the nearest Nars counter I could find and try and get a sample. Unfortunately, the lovely man behind the counter (and absolute diva, might I add) matched me to the wrong shade, Medium 4 Barcelona, which was much too dark and yellow for my light olive skin and peachy undertones. This leads me onto state that despite Nars’ attempt to cater for a wide range of skin colours, most of the shades they’ve conjured up have yellow undertones, which leaves the people that have more peachy and

SHEER

neutral undertones, like myself, in a bit of a pickle. Feeling utterly disheartened, I decided that this foundation wasn’t for me - until I was poking around Harvey Nick’s with a friend and we decided to lust over the makeup at Nars. Dribble. After fiddling about with the Sheer Glow foundation, the MUA intervened and matched me (correctly) to Medium 2 Santa Fe, and the rest is history.

I have been using this foundation since September 2011, and even though I don’t wear foundation every day, I am not even half way through the bottle. One of the best things about this foundation is that a little bit goes a long way. I dot a small amount onto the centre of my face and buff it out with a MAC 187 until it disappears to the edges, leaving a flawless finish. This foundation is so light, it feels like you’re wearing nothing, and

REVIEW

R GLOW provides a light and buildable coverage so that you can add more without looking cakey. The finish is semi-matte and very natural with a slight glow, but is by far from ‘sheer’. What I was also pleased to discover about this foundation is that it has skin benefiting properties and is fragrance free, and I have had no breakouts since using it (I have normal/combination/ sensitive skin).

Despite Nars’ claims that this foundation is ‘for normal to dry skin types’, I have had absolutely no problem with it, and it looks like I’ve just applied it even after eight hours of wear and being the proud owner of a sporadically oily t-zone (the bane of my life). It is definitely the best foundation I have ever tried, and I have tried quite a few. I have searched high and low for a flawless foundation with a light coverage for years and I

think I may have finally found it. Phew. Having the perfect foundation is a must, from when you’re getting ready for a big night out to when you simply just want to create a more polished, fresher faced version of yourself. I do have one con, however, and that would be the packaging. I’m sure it wouldn’t be that hard for Nars to provide a pump with the foundation, especially as it costs £29 (yes, not cheap) but they don’t.

This tends to leave the cap rather messy, and you can’t really control how much comes out of it. Mucky pup. With all the pros and cons out of the way, I would highly recommend this foundation, and to ask if I would repurchase this again - my answer would be 100% yes, and repurchases are very rare in my life.

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WORDS// LUCIA BINDING

D I Y B E A U T Y T R E AT M E N T S

In this cold weather, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only our skin that suffers but our lips too. So at Rookie we have tried this DIY lip treatment and believe me, it works!

ALL You will need:1 tsp sugar 1 tsp honey Mix these ingredients together then in circular movements apply to your lips for about 90 seconds.

WORDS// LAURA GREGORY

D I Y FA C E T R E AT M E N T S Ingredients 2 Tbsp. ground oats, 2 tsp. brown sugar, 2 Tbsp. Aloe Vera, 1 tsp. lemon juice

Mix the oatmeal, brown sugar, Aloe Vera and lemon juice together in a mixing bowl.

O AT M E A L A N D

brown sugar SCRUB

Make sure you reach your desired consistency; a thicker scrub will be easier to exfoliate with. Oatmeal is a soothing agent for exfoliation, which also helps to heal problem skin. They are packed with amino acids, are hypoallergenic and can routinely be seen in beauty products from boutiques to department stores. In addition, the lemon juice in this acne scrub acts as a brightener, the brown sugar is a sensitive exfoliant and Aloe Vera is a skin nutrition powerhouse, as well as being the key to naturally radiant skin.

Green Power ACNE SCRUB

Ingredients 1 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbs. almond oil, 2 tbs. green tea extract, 3-5 tbs mashed avocado

Mix all ingredients together, until the desired consistency has been achieved.

Smooth on skin while gently scrubbing, rinse off.

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WORDS// LAURA GREGORY

L&C lifestyle & culture Solar Power is best juxtaposed with Sweet Lilac*

on the PANTONE fashion colour report *based spring 2012

Kangoo J U PS We all know that being healthy is the most important thing in our lives. We cannot love, work, dance or see our friends if we are ill. Therefore, in order to have a happy existence we need to take good care of our body and soul – eat well, sleep well and stay fit. I must admit that I’m not a very sporty person, but I like it when I fit into my skinny jeans. So, my plans for 2012 are to stay healthy, look good – but not in a shallow way – and have fun doing this. I’ve done some research, tried out some classes and that’s how I’ve discovered Kangoo Jumps. They are boots that you slip on your feet, specially made to absorb up to 80% of the impact of your exercise. Also, they have rounded bottoms which actually make them easy to walk, run and hop on.

This fitness trend, born in Switzerland, became super-popular across the world because it’s easy to use, comfortable, stable and safe. Oh, and extremely entertaining and enjoyable. Moreover, Kangoo boots are used by NASA astronauts. They wear them when returning from missions to quickly accommodate with walking on earth. They are very good for weight loss, jogging and running, home fitness, bone mass, face lift, spine, stress, posture and heart. However, if you want to try Kangoo Jumps at the gym with an instructor, like I did, you’ll find out that this cardiobased fitness class is a full-body work out. Be prepared for one hour of jogging, hopping,

dancing, jumping and kicking your way to a nicer body. You must know that if you want to buy your own boots, they are pretty expensive – at about £300 per pair. One of the greatest things that I’ve experienced with these boots is that they really keep me motivated to burn calories, as they are really fun. During my class, I was feeling the burn in my abs, legs, bottom muscles and shoulders - I had to keep my arms constantly moving too – and my instructor told me this is the way to lose weight and fortify my muscles. Also, I felt very little impact on my joints during my exercise always a good sign!

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And although many people would love to exercise, they sometimes avoid it because the extra weight puts a lot of stress on their joints. That’s why these boots will change your perception about sports and fitness. If you are willing to try them, just once, you’ll definitely see what I’m talking about and how going to the gym will be not an obligation, but one of the fun parts of your day. In conclusion, I have to tell you that I absolutely loved my first Kangoo Jumps try out and will most certainly try it again. Nonetheless, if you are skeptical about these boots, I would still recommend you to try them just once – you’ll have nothing to lose, it will be a great experience and I guarantee you it’s a lot of fun!

WORDS// ANA TEPSANU

FILM REVIEW

THE ARTIST

e honest, what is your opinion about making silent movies in an era when 3D blockbusters rule the world of cinematography? If you are skeptical, like I was in the beginning, you should make up your mind only after watching the latest Hazanavicius creation, the movie The Artist. In my opinion, this black and white production centered in 1920s Hollywood surely deserves an Academy Award for its magic, selection of details and celebrations of love – love between man and woman, man and dog and love of cinema. And its main character, French actor Jean

Dujardin, is not to be forgotten. The Artist, which is a eulogy for monochrome and silence, will take you back to the moment when sound came to cinema, time associated with another of cinema’s greatest films, Singin’ In The Rain.

become a big thing and he refuses to change up his act.

Set between 1927 and 1933, the plot of this movie sets itself in an era when sound takes over the cinema, making — and destroying — many a career.

However, let’s not forget that The Artist is a sublime film not only about loss, but also about love, hope and change.

That’s also the case of George Valentin (Jean Dujardin), a famous movie star, who has it all – fame, money, fans and a loving best friend, his dog Jack. He loses everything when the talkies

Eventually, George is eclipsed by beautiful Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), who’s introduced as a pretty face in the crowd at one of his premieres.

love. After this, when the sound comes to Hollywood and the industry is transformed, Kinograph Studios sacks Valentin and contracts Miller as its star. George, like Charlie Chaplin, insists on his integrity as an artist and decides not to follow the trend, but continues to make silent films, writing, directing and financing his own work.

In the beginning, when George’s movies were some of the biggest in Hollywood, he helped Peppy get a small role at his studio.

Unfortunately, a jungle adventure called Tears of Love, his first picture as a producer/director/ star, bombs on the same day that Peppy’s debut becomes a hit.

They dance before the camera, fall for each other and part without declaring their

George is left with nothing - he loses his house, wife and servant (James Cromwell) – and

FILM REVIEW he watches jealously as his former studio boss (John Goodman), turns Peppy into a talkies superstar, with thousands of fans. At this point, all the self-destructive Valentin has left is his very intelligent dog, some flammable old films and booze.

R O O K I E RATING

From the narcissistic idol constantly surrounded by fans, he was transformed into a man without any friends or expectations. Will George pick himself up, will he find glory again, will he discover the meaning of true love? I will not tell you the final scene, but the famous remark the novelist William Dean Howells made to Edith Wharton when cheering her up after the failure of a Broadway play she’d written, says it all: “What the American public wants… is a tragedy with a happy ending.” Even though many say that director Michel Hazanavicius found inspiration in movies like A Star is Born, Sunset Blvd. or Silent Movie, we cannot admire his courage and fantastic initiative.

On the other hand, Jean Dujardin made an exquisite role, the best of his life,

Bejo, the FrancoArgentine actress who is married to The Artist’s director, played a gorgeous, natural and funny Penny Miller – a character that brought light to the film and enchanted the public. Although not revolutionary, The Artist remains, in my opinion, a beautiful film. And, even though Hazanavicius played cleverly with sound effects – during a nightmare sequence, George finds himself trapped in a world filled with sound, but he, himself, cannot make any – all other voices would have ruined it. The Artist is not aiming to create a whole new wave of silent filmmaking, but this doesn’t make it any less delightful. According to well-established critics, this film is a love letter to an age of cinema gone by, and I couldn’t agree more.

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Practically, in a digital age characterized by colour and noise, he reminds us the power of silence and that there might be elements of the past worth preserving.

I might say – he very much deserved the Golden Globe for playing George Valentino. He created a powerful character based only on the expression of his face, his gestures, compensating amazingly for his inability to express himself verbally.

WORDS// ANA TEPSANU

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“One to

Frank Six months ago, a friend of mine recommended I listen to an album entitled Nostalgia, Ultra, a debut mixtape by an upcoming artist by the name of Frank Ocean. After the first few plays, I was hooked. His music was definitely something I had never experienced before, it seemed heartfelt yet off-set and humble, and his songs had that old-school vibe enlaced with a contemporary touch. The record itself is held together by interludes of what sounds like 90’s video games and cassette players rewinding, forwarding or stopping, which no doubt contribute to it’s nostalgic feel. One of the more interesting aspects of the album is Ocean’s story-telling ability combined with wit, interconnecting with samples from the likes of Coldplay and The Eagles. And the inspiration behind Nostalgia, Ultra? It was Ocean’s vision and idea, and his alone. Having signed a solo record deal with Def Jam Recordings, but

gaining hardly any support or attention from them, Ocean decided to take matters into his own hands. He decided to post his debut album Nostalgia, Ultra online for free in February 2011. It just might have been one of the best things he had done. Despite lack of promotion and aid, the musician soon acquired a vast fan-following in a short space of time, alongside the likes of other upcoming musicians such as The Weeknd and Lana Del Ray.

Most recently, he worked alongside Jay-Z and Kanye West for their collaborative album Watch The Throne, writing lyrics for and providing vocals for Made In America and No Church In The Wild. This alliance with two of hip-hop’s greatest rappers assisted in marking Ocean’s name amongst the music industry’s greatest, as well as stronger recognition for his own work.

This is only the beginning for Ocean however, there are plenty more things to The 24-year-old has expect from the New worked alongside and Orleans native. His has written for some music, which can be of the highest profile considered a mix of musicians out there. classic smooth RnB Ocean has penned and clever hip-hop is lyrics for Brandy, John already making Legend, Justin Bieber waves amongst 2012’s and Beyonce, as well as rising artists. working with Nas. Having rekindled Ocean, who is in the ties with Def Jam hip-hop collective Odd Recordings, he is Future Wolf Gang Kill expected to release Them All (OFWGKTA) his second album with also appeared in Tyler, the label this spring, The Creator’s music something he is excited video She as well as about. Expect big things. later performing at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival in April 2011. WORDS// ASHA LADWA

watchâ&#x20AC;?

Ocean

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PLACE TO VISIT I’m sure you have all heard about Romania – The Land of Dracula. But there is more to this country than mere old legends and vampires.

in Europe, after Vienna. They reached this conclusion based on the night life, beer prices and the number of students located there.

The capital of Romania, Bucharest, has been named one of the coolest cities in Europe by French website, Slate.

What to visit

It might sound surprising to you, as Romania only escaped Communism 22 years ago, but “Little Paris” can be one of the best places to party till dawn, take long walks across the river Dambovita or wander the streets in the Old Centre. The French website Slate said that Bucharest is the second coolest city

In 1900, Bucharest earned the nickname of “Little Paris” because of its Glorious Belle Époque buildings, treelined boulevards and the high life.

BUCHAREST A COLOURFUL PLACE TO VISIT

At that time, Bucharest was a beautiful place to be in – the streets were full of elegant people, artists, musicians, painters and writers.

Nowadays, the city is a bustling metropolis, very urban and modern, although you can still see the scars left by the Communist era and its leader – Nicolae Ceausescu.

finished. An interior staircase allows visitors to climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city.

So, if you ever get the chance to visit this town full of history and diversity, don’t miss:

oldest and most charming street in Bucharest was built in 1692 to link the Old Princely Court to Mogosoaia Palace. After the Romanian War of Independence victory, it became street Calea Victoriei and was one of the most fashionable streets in the city.

House of the Free Press – This building was completed in 1956, one year after the strikingly similar Palace of Science and Culture in Warsaw, Poland.

The Arch of T r i u m p h - This objective was initially built of wood, in 1922, to honor the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. Only in 1936 the granite Arch de Triumph was

Victory A v e n u e - The

Revolution S q u a r e - This is the place were communism in Romania came to an end. The square became known around the globe when TV stations broadcasted Nicolae Ceausescu final moments, on December 21, 1989.

PLACE TO VISIT

WORDS// ANA TEPSANU

Where to h a v e f u n - Like I said before, Bucharest was voted one of the coolest cities in Europe. And that’s because people here know how to have fun and they don’t need much money to do so. Beer is very cheap, less than £1, and the food is amazing. Romanians are known worldwide for their great and tasty food and if you visit Bucharest you should definitely try some traditional courses. We

recommend you the Beer Cart Restaurant, opened since 1879. If you want to party you should definitely go to Lipscani District. In this area you will discover the city unique charm - pubs, restaurants, clubs and a diversity of young people. This part of the town is always alive, both night and day.

In Bucharest you can find amazing parties and clubs - from drum & bass to rock, disco or commercial. If you want to start your journey to party land, you should begin at University Square - one of the most popular meeting places in Bucharest.

Back in the day, Lipscani was a residential area and a place where you could find all the artist and writers.

Like any other city in the world, Bucharest is not only milk and honey. First of all, you should be careful with taxi drivers, who can easily fool you, especially if

The downsides

you don’t know the city. Secondly, there are a lot of stray dogs on the streets – most of them are innocent, but you should still look out for yourself! Bucharest is indeed very cool and colourful, but it lacks the tidiness and class of the Western cities, as some people still choose to ignore the bins and throw their garbage in the streets. In my opinion, Bucharest is more like a paradoxical city and you only have two choices when it comes to it – love it or not.

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The Ting Tings INTERVIEW

ritish pop duo The Tings Tings, who soared to the top of the charts with their hits That’s Not My Name and Shut Up and Let Me Go, are back and better than ever with their upcoming second album set for release this month. Fresh back from touring, Katie White, lead singer of the band, took time out to chat with Rookie on dream musical collaborations, FIFA 12, and being starstruck by Michael Palin…

If you could describe the Ting Tings in three words, what would they be? It would be ‘D.I.Y’, because we do most of the music production ourselves, we write and record everything, including our videos, as well as choose what brands we would like to be involved with. We’re control freaks, but we enjoy it.

Why did you decide to call yourselves the Ting Tings? I actually stole it from a girl that I used to work with in a boutique. Her name was Ting Ting and I told her that I really liked her name. She told me that it meant ‘listen’ in Chinese Mandarin. Jules and I Googled it and found out that it also meant ‘the sound of innovation and an open mind’, kind of like when you get an idea in your head and it goes

‘Ting!’ To be honest we didn’t think we were going to be as successful, so we just called ourselves any old thing!

Your new album, called ‘Sounds from Nowheresville’ is scheduled for release in February 2012, how is this different from your first album, and what can we expect from it? I think it’s quite different from the first album we’ve made, but I think it still contains that pop element, as we tend to write a lot of pop songs that are catchy. But we’ve toured for three years now and we listen to all kinds of music for inspiration. We really got inspired by bands like The Beastie Boys and Malcolm McLaren and things like that, so I think this one’s probably more of an album than the first one. The first one kind of featured one sound that ran throughout the album, and this one sounds like it contains various different sounds and vibes.

What was your inspiration behind the album, and how did you come up with the title for it? I think the main thing was that when we went to write the album, the one thing that we said to ourselves was that we were just going to write it like a compilation. So, just the way that we’ve been listening to music, we didn’t want to write an album that had, for example, every guitar sound that sounded the same, or that every song was the ‘Ting Tings’ style, we really wanted to write one song that was kind of ‘punky’ and another one that was like ‘TLC’, who were one of my favourite 90’s girl band. We just wanted the freedom to do that, so I think it’s kind of made it quite varied. I think Nancy Sinatra, Fleetwood Mac, Beastie Boys, TLC, and Petshop Boys were probably the main influences for us. In regards to the title of the album, I think it’s because we travelled a lot, and I think the places that we fell in love with the most, weren’t the big cities, it was kind of these strange small places where people were so down-to-earth and cool and they didn’t even know it. I think cities can be really conscious of themselves now, whereas you just go to some little town in the middle of Spain, and

people are so interested and they’re so artistic and stuff like that, and we found that quite inspiring and refreshing. I think the title for this new album also reflects the way we feel…we don’t really fit in, with any type of music, or even where we’ve lived, because we’ve not lived anywhere for too long since we’ve been travelling so much, and we kind of like that feeling of ‘no man’s land’.

The single ‘Hands’ from your upcoming album is featured in the video game FIFA 12, how does that feel? And are either yourself or Jules video games fans? Jules is more so than me; I don’t think you’ll ever catch me playing a video football game (laughs). I might play SIMS or something like that, but not a football game! I think it’s been on FIFA 12 for a while now, and I actually hear from loads of people that they have heard our single Hands through that game which is interesting.

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Apparently Jules and yourself Can you confirm whether the began writing the second album rumour is true that you will be/or in Paris, which was then recorded have collaborated with US rapper over a period of 8 months in a Jay Z? basement of a Jazz club in Berlin. No, [laughs] what it is, is that we’ve changed so he kind of manages us. He has a Why did you choose to record there management company called Roc Nation that signs bands, have their own label etc, and we changed management a (instead of Manchester?) year and a half ago to Roc Nation, so we are kind of

When we came back to Manchester, it was like a real moment in our lives. We used to work at this art space in Salford called the Islington Mill, a renovated cotton factory-turned studio. It was full of artists, and all of our friends were there and we didn’t want to feel like we had disappeared for two years from touring and suddenly turn up back in Manchester with our friends and go ‘Right! let’s pretend that these two years didn’t happen, and let’s try and create the same kind of vibe’.

involved with Jay Z, but have not collaborated with him yet, but he’s a very nice person!

Going to these foreign cities was a real amazing time in our lives, because it felt very natural, and there were lots of really cool parties and people. We fell in love with Berlin, and we’ve been travelling there quite a lot, we just thought that it would quite interesting to work in these places, because I feel that where you surround yourself has a real effect on your album, so it was interesting to see what Berlin and Spain would make of White! [Her name]

No I think that is also because we know Rihanna, and we’ve hung out a few times, so I think peoplehave just seen us together and presume that we are making a record…she’s also very nice, but unfortunately, no.

There have also been talks that Rihanna is another musician you have worked with in your album, providing vocals for a track?

Will you be touring around the UK this year? Yes, we just did a small tour, we’re going to America for six weeks, then South America, and then we’ll come back and do the UK and Europe, and probably a lot of the upcoming festivals, and then we’ll do our own larger tour after the festival season.

The ting tings have performed at a lot of exciting places, do you have any favourite/memorable venue? Glastonbury definitely, because we’ve played there three consecutive years in a row. I remember the first time we played there, there were like 70 people that came to watch us, we were a brand new band, and the second year 15,000 came, and then the third year 50,000 people came to watch us! There are not many festivals that you get to play at one year after the other, so it was just amazing for us to see how it had grown at the same place that we kept going back to. Another one was a show called the McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn, New York, and it’s a gigantic outdoor swimming pool that was empty, and we played on the side of it and the audience stood in the swimming pool. That was really amazing, just because it looked so interesting and bizarre!

Is there musician who you would like to duet with, anyone dead or alive? We’re huge fans of Portishead, so we would have liked to have collaborated with them if they were still together, and I love Michael Jackson and Depeche Mode…the list could go on! [laughs]

Have you ever been star-struck by anyone? Bizarrly, the only person I’ve been star-struck by is Michael Palin! For some reason, I don’t know whether its because Jules and I are musicians and we see everything that goes on behind the music scene and know that it’s really not that glamourous as you would think… so we don’t really get starstruck by musicians. But Michael Palin was like, so cool, and we used to watch all his travel shows on TV… and for some reason, we were like ‘MICHAEL PALIN!’ when we saw him!

Could you tell Rookie Magazine readers what’s on Katie White’s iPod? Oh God, everything, from In Rainbows by Radiohead, to Best of Musicals, and everything in between! A completely eclectic mix!

Lastly, is there any personal message you’d like to tell our Rookie readers and fans of your music? Yes! Hello to the Rookie readers, we’ve been away for a while, recording our second album, and we hope everybody enjoys it, and we look forward to performing soon in the UK! WORDS// ASHA LADWA

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EVENT

A N E V E N I N G AT THE OPERA.

f you’re the type that prefers theatres to nightclubs, or if you simply just want to add a bit of culture into your untouched/eventstarved 2012 diary, then I have the perfect evening in store for you. I had never been to an opera until last year, I don’t know why, but it had never dawned on me to go. How silly I was. Since meeting one of my best friends at university, who is an aspiring and very talented soprano opera singer, I had never delved into the world of opera and would only go to the theatre to see Shakespeare plays.

It was not until my friend surprised me with tickets to go and see the opera Lucrezia Borgia with her, that I was truly converted and found that there was no other experience like it. This month, Offenbach’s comic operetta La Vie Parisienne is showing in Wyllotts Theatre, presented by Southgate Opera. It is an entertaining and tangled tale of flirtation and romantic intrigue. The story recounts the amorous adventures and misadventures of a Swedish Baron and Baroness on their Parisienne holiday. Expect an entertaining whirlwind of tuneful, vivacious music, dancing

(including the famous cancan), wonderful costumes and scenes of rapturous hilarity in this glittering version of life in Gay Paree staged in the period 1900-1910.

19:30

Look forward to seeing Clive Beeb, playing the eccentric and flamboyant Brazil, and keep an eye out for the talented soprano, Claudia Haussmann.

Saturday 11th February, 14:30

Showing from 8th-11th February at: Wyllyotts Theatre Wyllyotts Place Darkes Lane Potters Bar Herts EN6 2HN Book your tickets now! Box Office: 01707 645005 Wednesday 8th February,

Thursday 9th February, 19:30 Friday 10th February, 19:30

Saturday 11th February, 19:30

WORDS// LUCIA BINDING

THE BENeFITS OF GREEN TEA

Fashion/ beauty/ Lifestyle & CULTURE /

MUSIC REVIEW

THE MACCABEES GIVEN TO THE WILD Album Review It’s not often that Danish electro-pop and ancient Greek epic rub shoulders, but both can be found lodged upon the deck of the HMS Maccabee.

introduction, the album’s title voiced by leadsinger Orlando Weeks like a distant foghorn.

Weeks asks us to see the world as a ‘child’, familiar territory for The Speaking on Channel Maccabees – see Lego 4’s 360 Sessions, the on first album Colour It quintet revealed that In – yet, how these kids the studio in which they have grown! recorded new album Given to the Wild has Weeks argues that quite a history, not only as a child, only only housing post-punk by giving yourself to giants The Jesus and the wild, can you see Mary Chain, but also what’s really there (‘so Barbie Girl by earvivid’) in this uberoffenders, Aqua. technological modern world of ours. The Given to the Wild listener is told to trust begins with a swirling her senses; we must

‘Feel to Follow’. As a child we live to adventure. And this is precisely what The Maccabees do on the track Ayla. They cite Daedalus flying too close to the sun, how innocence and youthful exuberance can lead to an untimely death.

The Shins and Arcade Fire are clear influences in their new musical direction, and the band’s experimentation proves so successful that the more ‘classic’ Maccabees tracks such as lead single Pelican seem somehow out of place.

They sing of ‘honeyed milk’ and ‘funeral pyres’ as Homer did. They explore the modern world like Stephen Dedalus in Joyce’s Ulysses. Throughout The Maccabees, undoubtedly, discover a higher plane of song-craft.

The punchy guitars clash with the overlapping waves which ‘glimmer’ and ‘heave’ earlier in the album. Also the song’s lyrics are somewhat repetitive and not exactly ground-breaking in the revelation that

MUSIC REVIEW

we shall all slowly grow old and die. However, there are two key moments on the album where the grand and sweeping music is matched by an eloquence which the ancient Greek would have been proud of. On standout track Forever I’ve Known, Weeks reiterates the ephemeral nature of modern life, conceding that ‘nothing stays forever’. Yet he follows this statement with the request ‘Couldn’t you just try?’ which repeats over and over – in times past the metaphor would have been ‘like a broken record’, but nowadays surely (thanks to Zuckerberg and Fincher) it reflects a continuous clicking of the refresh button.

The disconnection of contemporary relationships is then brilliantly encapsulated on Slowly One: ‘Every small reminder of a name / Any half measures / Any pleasures / Every new encounter that’s not her / Leaves you cold’. The album ends with Grew up at Midnight, thumping a chorus which clearly aims for stadium glory. The Maccabees should be applauded for their brave venture into the unknown. It remains to be seen whether or not, like Homer, they have the masses echoing their words into the summer night. I give this a 4 star Rookie rating. WORDS// PHIL HAYES

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