VOL: 2 ISSUE: 6 10.02.16
THE COLLEGE VIEW
THE SUSS THE WHITE OSCARS THE BATTLE FOR DIVERSITY IN HOLLYWOOD
Feature
BY FIONNUALA JONES
#OscarsSoWhite: Can a hashtag change an industry? J
anuary 15th, 2015. The Academy Award nominations were announced. Not a single actor of colour was nominated. Out of all the movies nominated for Oscars, only five had directors who were not white. Upon the announcement, April Reign, managing editor of BroadwayBlack.com tweeted, “#OscarsSoWhite they asked to touch my hair L”. The awards passed, statutes were placed on mantles, and the world continued to turn. January 14th, 2016. The Academy Award nominations were announced. All 20 contenders across the acting categories are white. Reign is now urging others to boycott the ceremony, while also encouraging those already involved in the ceremony to speak out “and take a stand against the lack of diversity in Hollywood”. The hashtag has since grown legs, with Jada Pinkett-Smith asking whether people of colour should participate in the Oscars at all. Husband Will Smith, who this year starred in 2015’s NFL drama ‘Concussion’, is supporting her, as is director Spike Lee. President Obama addressed the controversy, saying “it is an expression of a broader
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issue.” Best Actor nominee Mark Ruffalo has said that the issue goes beyond the Oscars. Hashtag activism is a term used to refer to the use of Twitter hashtags for internet activisim. Michelle Obama championed it with #BringBackOurGirls, and has since been used to raise awareness for everything from gender inequalities, to sexism, to protests against police brutality. Hashtag activism is often criticised and referred to as ‘vanity activism’. The perfect example? When people changed their profile pictures on Facebook to the French flag in the wake of the Paris attacks. Was that active engagement highlighting a desire to counteract terrorism, or just a passive, narcissistic pronouncement?
So who’s to say #OscarsSoWhite will change anything about who gets nominated for awards, or who gets cast in movies? Lian Bell, founder of the #WakingTheFeminists grass-roots movement, calling for equality for women across the Irish theatre. Growing out of the huge response to the Abbey Theatre’s ‘Waking The Nation’ programme for 2016, Bell’s hashtag
went on to be supported and used by the likes of Debra Messing and Meryl Streep on social media. The movement gained such ground that, not only was a debate held in the theatre surrounding gender equality, but Bell amassed 5,500 signatures in support of the cause. However, director of the Abbey Theatre Fiach Mac Conghail remains quiet, despite the hive of outrage. “We haven’t heard anything official from the Abbey – other than the welcome news that they have formed a subcommittee of the board to put gender policy in place,” Lian says, “But we know that not all the programme for 2016 has yet been announced, so we’re still calling for the board to make sure that the inequality is addressed in the rest of the programme.” The movement has been met with its fair share of criticism, with Bell saying that while the public reaction has
been positive, the press’ has been more negative. Similarly, #OscarsSoWhite has been challenged both online and off. Previous winner - and presenter this year - Whoopi Goldberg dismissed it, saying, “The issue is not the Academy ... Even if you fill the Academy with black and Latino and Asian members, if there’s no one on the screen to vote for, you’re not going to get the outcome that you want.” Despite the naysayers, the hashtag and boycott has scared the Academy into action. For starters, they’ve lined up five non-white presenters, including Kevin Hart, The Weeknd, and Pharrell Williams. When it comes to addressing the root of the problem, the Academy is looking to the voting system. Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs is doubling the number of “women and diverse members of the Academy” by 2020. With that said, 2020 is still a long way off, and the Acad-
Photo Credit: Front page: mensfitness.com; Page 2: usamagazine.com, philly.com; Page 3: Google Images Page 4: cbsnews.com, popmatters.com; Page 5: www,thecollegetimes.com; Page 6: Sarah Magliocco, Chai Brady ; Page 7: Mattel 2016; mbracepangea, Aoibheann Diver Page 8: Chai Brady, Levi.
emy’s immediate action, involving the addition of new members to its executive and board committees “where key decisions about membership and governance are made.” The Screen Actor’s Guild Awards were held last week, with the ceremony being applauded for celebrating diversity in the field, with Idris Elba, Queen Latifah and Viola Davis all receiving awards. With voting only closing the day before the SAGs, can we say definitively that the hashtag encouraged more diverse voting? No - but its influence can hardly be ignored either. #OscarsSoWhite has been less of tidal wave, and more of a breaking wave of change. While it is almost universally agreed that accolades should be awarded to those who are most deserving and not determined by race or gender, the struggle for equal representation within the arts will continue.
The female comedians you should know about
BY REBECCA KEANE
Rather recently, a friend of mine confessed she wasn’t a fan of female comedians. “I don’t find any of them funny” she confessed, to my utter shock and disappointment. As a big fan of comedy, I was inspired to compile a list of comediennes and funny 1. AISLING BEA women that are smart, witty and most importantly, perhaps the most hilarious human beings on the planet. 1. AISLING BEA Hailing from County Kildare, Aisling studied at Trinity College before realising her true passion for comedy. Regular appearances on popular UK panel shows such as ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’, ‘QI’ and ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ have cemented her as one of the recurring faces on the UK comedy scene. Recent appearances on shows such as ‘Trollied’, ‘Insert Name Here’ and ‘Room 101’ and plans of working with fellow Irish comic Sharon Horgan for a new Channel 4 series mean this Irish comedienne’s star is set to rise. 2. SHARON HORGAN
3. CHELSEA PERETTI Chelsea Peretti, or as some may recognise her - ‘Gina’ from Fox comedy series ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ is an American actress, writer and stand-up comedian. Appearances on ‘Parks & Recreation’ and ‘Big Fat Quiz Of Everything’ showcase her razor-sharp and intelligent wit. Her Netflix special ‘One Of The Greats’ was released to great critical acclaim, and is absolutely essential watching.
County Meath native Horgan attended school in Drogheda before moving to London to train as an actress. Starring in successful comedy series’ such as 4. AMY SCHUMER ‘Pulling’ and ‘Dead Boss’ won her numerous awards and lay the foundation for 2015 was a huge year 2015 smash-hit sitcom for Amy Schumer, star ‘Catastrophe’. Horgan coof controversial Comwrote ‘Catastrophe’ with edy Central’s ‘Inside Amy Rob Delaney, an AmeriSchumer’ and box office can comedian and the two hit ‘Trainwreck’. Having starred in both of the series performed stand-up since shown on Channel 4 with 2004, presenting the 2015 talks of a third series rumi- MTV Movie Awards came as nating. Horgan’s new show a breeze to Miss Schumer, ‘Divorce’ has been picked leading comparisons to up by HBO, only adding to Joan Rivers and Lucille Ball. her already glowing CV. Schumer’s style of comedy
is provocative and dark yet searingly funny. If you aren’t laughing at the humour, you’re laughing in disbelief. Plans for a movie starring Schumer and Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence have been confirmed, which we can only look forward to. 5. MICHAELA COEL English writer and performer Coel rose to fame in 2015 with E4 sitcom ‘Chewing Gum’, showcasing the observational humour and special storytelling that only Coel is capable of. Coel uses her childhood growing up in a council housing estate and her strict Catholic upbringing as folly for hilarious and awkward situations. ‘Chewing Gum’ was released to great critical acclaim, with hopes for a second series very high. 6. JESSICA KNAPPETT Starring as ‘Lisa’ in the Inbetweeners movie in 2011, writer and actress Knappett has plenty of
comedy credentials. She co-wrote the hilarious E4 sitcom ‘Drifters’ and starred as the main character Meg for all three series. Her geeky, awkward style guarantees laughs every single time. Series three ended in November 2015, however hopefully we have not yet seen the last of Jessica Knappett. 7. MAYA RUDOLPH Ex-SNL star Rudolph has an extensive repertoire of celebrities she can imitate flawlessly – ranging from Oprah Winfrey, Donatella Versace and Beyoncé. Appearances in 2011’s ‘Bridesmaids’ and 2015’s ‘Sisters’ show her incredibly natural comic ability and with such a flare for comedy, 2016 will only increase her fanbase. 8. LENA DUNHAM American writer and actress Dunham remains a controversial figure in
society for her provocative humour and often unique views on politics, however it is from HBO drama ‘Girls’ that she is best known for. Largely compared to cult series ‘Sex and the City’, ‘Girls’ is fresh, funny and modern. Dunham’s ability to share warts and all is refreshing and endearing and with season 5 due to be released later this month, ‘Girls’ is a show that should not be missed. 9. MAEVE HIGGINS Cork native Higgins first gained attention on RTÉ 2’s ‘Naked Camera’ followed by ‘Maeve Higgins’ Fancy Vittles’, both huge successes in Irish media. A unique and quirky stand-up, her gags are delivered with a special observational outlook. After moving to New York, 2015 saw her appear on huge US show ‘Inside Amy Schumer’ and release a book ‘Off You Go’, showing no slowing down in 2016 for the hilarious Higgins.
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REVIEW: Room W
ith the 88th Academy Awards just around the corner, director Lenny Abrahamson’s Room looks to be the frontrunner in a number of categories. This hasn’t come as a surprise to many, considering just how engaging it is. Translating Irish author, Emma Donoghue’s, bestselling book onto the big screen was always going to be a tough job to undertake, however, Lenny Abrahamson succeeds in adapting the acclaimed novel for the big screen. Viewers are met with Joy (Brie Larson) and her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay) from the opening of the movie. Joy is abducted by a rapist at the age of 19 and gives birth to Jack two years later who is fathered by the man that abducted her. Their abductor is kept
largely in the shadows for the most part of the movie so the story belongs only to Joy and Jack. Joy dedicates herself to looking after her spirited 5-year-old son and attempting to make his life as normal and fulfilling as possible, despite their situation being anything but normal. Based loosely on the Josef Fritzl case, Room is told from the child’s perspective. Jack and his ‘Ma’ are held captive in a shed which they name ‘Room’. Jack believes that ‘room’ is the entire universe with nothing or no one existing outside the four walls enclosing them. However, as Jack grows up his curiosity also grows and his ‘Ma’ decides to risk everything to come up with a hazardous escape plan and a chance for freedom for both of them.
Although the subject matter is undoubtedly grim, and with criticism suggesting the film is not as powerful as the bestselling book, it deals with the ideas of human love and survival through compelling and emotive performances on all parts.
BY COLEEN BRADY
The gripping suspense involved in their plan to escape, and the pure beauty of the mother-son relationship makes the film the masterpiece that it is. Critics are calling it a tense, emotional and astonishing drama. Room is nominated for an array of
REVIEW: Villagers at Vicar Street
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ith two Mercury nominated albums and three Irish chart topping records, Villagers front man, Conor O’Brien, and his band have become somewhat of a household name as they earned recognition with their unique indie folk sound. The last time Villagers embarked on an Irish tour was during the mar-
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riage referendum, a matter close to the frontman’s heart, as a former canvasser and equality advocate. Known for his personal lyrics relating to difficult life experiences such as battling homophobia, O’Brien has an extraordinary ability to combine evocative storytelling with an utterly captivating live performance.
The set opens with the flamboyant Memoir. All bass and flair, the song sets the tone for the rest of the night as O’Brien’s words ring loud in the evening’s ears: “Every memory is sailing to the kingdom of your soul, As you patiently await and lose all sense of self control.” The singer’s beautiful vocals combined with his mastery of songwriting make the audience swoon. The band do not hesitate in bringing out the oldies, as a mere three songs into the set we hear the eerie opening riffs of I Saw The Dead, showcasing O’Brien’s superb piano skills. Other noteworthy familiars include The Pact (I’ll Be Your Fever) and Twenty Seven Strangers. Both go down a treat as by O’Brien’s request, “only those who can sing”, echo back the words.
awards including Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role and Best Director. With so many excellently illustrated movies up for awards at this year’s Oscars, it will be interesting to see if our Irish hopeful will take the top spot on February 28th.
BY SCOUT MITCHELL
O’Brien’s dry humour and evident confidence represent a different performer than the shy, awkward, twenty-something back in 2010. Stylish, with expertly kept facial hair, O’Brien is assured onstage, admitting of his talent while retaining complete humility. The transformation is evident on songs like Hot Scary Summer which give listeners an insight to the artist’s most inner thoughts and battles, his vulnerability creating a great emotional connection with the audience. Noteworthy in Villagers’ evolution is their exploration of sounds and themes different from their traditional acoustic singer/ songwriter sound. The live rendition of Little Bigot is an excellent example of such a successful transformation
as the dramatic harmonies and overlapping sharp melodies enforce a spine chilling atmosphere over Vicar Street. A stripped back No One to Blame reintroduces the calming effect the band have on their audience as O’Brien’s crooning is backed solely by piano and harp. An encore of That Day, Wichita Lineman the Glen Campbell classic - and Courage are the perfect ending to a wonderful evening. Villagers are irrefutable evidence that the sheer talent of the Irish music scene is growing at a rapid rate. O’Brien has taken songcraft to a new level and the band’s records and live performances show that Villagers are one of the best things to happen in folk music to date.
INTERVIEW: Glenn Keogh
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lenn Keogh is living proof that the years of your life you devote to college do not necessarily dictate how the rest of your life will be spent. Originally hailing from Blackrock in Dublin, by the time he was 24 years old, he had already enjoyed a promising, but ill fated football career, and was a qualified accountant. Once his college years (spent in Griffith College Dublin) were behind him, he did as many Irish do and moved across the pond to Australia. It was during his Aussie years that he began to have the inevitable doubts that plague the average twenty-something – do I really want to work a 9 to 5 job for the rest of my life?
He pin-points this time as when he ‘caught the acting bug’, so to speak. He left his job at an Australian tech company to study acting for four years and hasn’t looked back since. Keogh’s acting career has certainly been diverse from a stint in long running US soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’ to more recently a part in the 2014 blockbuster ‘Transformers: Age Of Extinction’. Fans may also have spotted him during guest appearances in popular US televisions shows like ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ ‘New Girl’ and ‘Criminal Minds’. Despite working comfortably as an actor for many years now, when asked about the prospect of relying on acting as your
“The years of your life you devote to college do not necessarily dictate how the rest of your life will be spent.”
sole income, Keogh offered caution to anyone considering it. “You have to look at the statistics”, he explains, “say in Los Angeles, of the 130,000 actors in the union, only about 6,000 of those are working regularly enough to make a living.” It’s figures like these that lead Glenn to implore any young Irish person who is hoping to establish themselves as an actor to be wise and get a qualification in another field to fall back on, should their dream not come to fruition. Taking his own advice, Glenn’s career has taken yet another change in direction in the last two years, as he involved himself in the Lucey Fund. Similar to uStart, the Lucey Fund aids
BY GARY GRIMES
entrepeneurs who wish to launch a startup, but do not have the connections in the technology industry or skills that they need. Where uStart provide startups with cash to spend as they feel necessary, the Lucey Fund focuses on putting entrepeneurs in touch with the right people within the industry. “It’s an exciting new venture but at the same time it’s linked to my tech roots”, says Glenn. It does not however mean a retirement from acting is on the cards, as he intends to keep taking acting gigs as they come. In fact, his agent is currently ‘putting out the feelers’ for an Irish role, which would be a first for Glenn. 5
Travel
Explore the history and culture of Berlin
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ast month I began to fulfil my number one new year’s resolution, to travel as much as possible, by visiting Berlin with six of my friends. We prepared for the January snow with as many coats and mittens that our carry-on would allow and took in the snowscape from the plane window as we descended. We arrived on a Thursday and settled into our AirBnb apartment, which was located in the heart of Berlin’s vegan district. We took an Uber cab (the best way to travel in Berlin as everything is so spread out) to the East gallery portion of the Berlin wall and strolled along, taking in the art work
BY SARAH MAGLIOCCO and history of the graffitiscarred barrier. We then visited a little nook for Brunch called Roamers which served the most appetising vegetarian cuisine imaginable. The Friday itinerary included brunch at a bikerstyle, candlelit café called Beakers, which was one of the most delicious yet simple meals I have ever eaten. Later we visited the Jewish History Museum, one of the most immersive, curative experiences I have ever had. I advise giving a full day to this enveloping exploit as we didn’t allow enough time for it. The outdoor exhibits such as the Garden of Exile and Tower of the Holocaust were particularly spine-chilling, along with the hundreds of artefacts symbolising the trials and tribulations of the Holocaust. Saturday brought brunch at Gold-Spree, a chain restaurant with selfservice and little pagers which buzzed when your
“The Garden of Exile and Tower of the Holocaust were particularly spine-chilling.” food was ready. Later we braved the treacherous ice to see the Mauerpark Flea Market, a haven of vintage clothing, sublime food and an assortment of knick-knacks. Do not be afraid to haggle. The nightlife was amaz-
ing. We visited Kitty Chengs, Suicide Circus, The Matrix and the infamous Tresor. Tresor is my ultimate pick, with its maze of underground tunnels, thick fog of smoke and rave music. It was everything you would expect Berlin nightlife to be.
Dating in Dublin: Things to do on Valentine’s Day affordable and a lot more meaningful. Feeling a bit stuck for ideas? Here’s my top five date ideas for this February 14th:
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hether you’re loved up or celebrating the joy of platonic love, February 14th is the time to get creative. If the thought
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of the cliché dinner/movie combo is not for you, why not try something a little bit different this Valentine’s? A unique date can be more
1. Bake Together Get together some recipes of your favourite baked treats. Even if you’re not a talented baker, there’s always the “just add water” kits to help you along. A very affordable date, with the bonus of having tasty treats to eat together when you’re done. 2. Listen to live music This is a great way to bond with someone, have
a great time and make some new memories. There are lots of gigs on in Dublin this Valentine’s Day from ‘Full Set’ at Whelan’s, to ‘August Wells’ in The Workman’s Club. 3. See your city Use the day of love to share some love for Dublin City. Visit The Hugh Lane gallery, take the Viking Splash tour or go on a tour of the Guinness Storehouse. While you’re in town, take a stroll down ‘Love Lane’ in Temple Bar which is filled with romantic quotes and homemade decorated tiles.
Our final day involved a trip to the DDR museum, which offers interactive installations about Communist Germany, including a jail cell suited for a Communist spy and a vintage car you can sit in and “drive” around prewar Berlin. In Berlin, every street is an art exhibition with expressive walls to be found everywhere, along with many clubs, cafés and parks yet to be explored.
BY HANNAH KELLY 4. See a comedy gig There’s nothing better than seeing someone you love laugh and with Des Bishop performing Grey Matters in Vicar Street on February 14th, there’s no better time. With tickets at €28 it’s an affordable and creative way to spend the day. 5. Go to the Zoo If the weather permits why not take a trip to Dublin Zoo to visit the new macaque born just before Christmas? You can also pair this date with a walk in Phoenix Park.
Feature
Redefining Barbie to meet realistic standards
BY CATHERINE DEVINE
T
he most popular girl’s toy in history has been given three new body types: petite, tall and curvy. Known as Project Dawn, Mattel, the creators of Barbie needed to recreate new relatable dolls in order to stop their plummeting sales. Barbie sales fell by 20 per cent from 2012 to 2014 and continued to fall last year, with the increase in sales for girls’ toys at Lego and the Elsa doll dethroning Barbie as the top selling doll for girls. According to Time Magazine, the estimated revenue loss to Mattel from Elsa and the other Disney Princesses is $500 million. With the rise of stars such as Lena Dunham, Kim Kardashian and Demi Lovato, beauty ideals and body images have evolved, with parents looking for toys that represent real beauty for their children to play with. While the Elsa doll is also thin and blonde, she represents strength and sisterhood, a background that Barbie
BY AOIBHEANN DIVER
At this time of the year, students are struggling with funds so expensive gifts aren’t really on the cards. So why not create your gift this year by baking for your significant other? Here is a recipe for red velvet cupcakes that are so delicious, it will put a smile on anyone’s face. They can be decorated whatever way you choose, with buttercream, vanilla or chocolate icing, or the traditional topping for red velvet: cream cheese frosting.
lacks. Barbie has been controversial since her inception in the late 1950s, as her creator, Ruth Handler, based Barbie’s body on a German doll called Lilli, a prostitute gag gift handed out at bachelor parties. In 1963, Barbie was sold with a diet book that recommended simply, “Don’t eat”. Another Barbie had pre-programmed phrases such as, “Math class is tough”. In the 1970s, feminists at Berkeley burned her as a symbol of male oppression. While Barbie was a
businesswoman in 1963, an astronaut in 1965 and a surgeon in 1973, the doll has always been a symbol of unrealistic body images and stereotypes for young girls. Critics of Barbie claim she isn’t as popular as she used to be as she failed to keep up with pop-culture and become culturally diversified. However the new Barbie represents all shapes, sizes, colours and hairstyles, hoping that young girls will resonate with a particular doll and save Barbie from being socially and profitably irrelevant.
The vagina detox - cleanse or contaminate? ‘D
etox’ is the word of the decade when it comes to dieting. From teas and juices to foot patches, the word ‘detox’ is thrown around, convincing consumers that this product will aid weight loss and increase health. The latest craze, however, seems to be less about health and more about vanity. Detox Pearls are grape-sized balls of herbs wrapped in a cotton net that are inserted into the vagina. It is recommended
that you insert three ‘pearls’ for three days for best results. The pearls are made of ‘ancient herbs’ and if used properly they will ‘detox your vagina and womb’, according to naturoticawellness.com. It is commonly known that if a tampon is left inside a vagina for over eight hours, a woman is at risk of contracting Toxic Shock Syndrome, therefore leaving a detox pearl in there for 72 hours cannot be safe.
If you need more convincing, the side effects on naturoticawellness.com state that “some itching, mild burning, and cramping may happen”. The vagina is a selfcleaning organ, meaning there is no need to ‘detox’ it in the first place. Its own lubrication and discharge help clean it out when needed. The pH balance of a healthy vagina is between 3.8 and 4.5 and using soaps or other products on
• • • • • • • • • • •
• Ingredients 30g cocoa powder 3 tablespoons red food colouring 1½ tsps vanilla extract• 110g margarine 170g caster sugar • 4 egg yolks 240mls buttermilk • 250g plain flour 1 tsp bread soda •
Method
Preheat oven to 180˚C. Line a cupcake tin with • bun cases. Put the cocoa, food colouring and vanilla in a small bowl and mix well.
Put the butter and sugar in a large bowl and mix until creamy. Add egg yolks and mix again. Add the cocoa mixture and mix again. Slowly pour the buttermilk in and mix. Sift in the flour and bread soda and fold it into the mixture. Fill each bun case and bake for 15 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean). Allow to cool on a wire rack for half an hour, before decorating with icing or buttercream.
BY CLIONA NICDHOMHNAILL it can disrupt the pH balance and actually cause more harm than good. “Douches are actually associated with higher rates of pelvic inflammatory disease,” according to Dr Serena Chen, director for reproductive medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Centre. “Feminine deodorant sprays can cause irritation or allergic reactions, and they can create an imbalance in the chemistry of the vagina and lead to higher
rates of bacterial or yeast overgrowth,” she said. Vaginas are meant to smell a certain way, however if you believe that your vaginal odour has changed recently or there is another problem with your vaginal health, visit a doctor, do not go near ‘detox pearls’.
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Reviewing city restaurants: Trocadero A
s you enter the beautifully decorated restaurant on St Andrew’s Street, you are greeted by the rich aroma of food, the buzzing atmosphere of sophisticated diners and very welcoming staff. Trocadero is a European restaurant located in the heart of Dublin, just a twominute stroll from Grafton Street. It boasts a menu with great variety for all three courses, as well as a bar with the finest drinks. I visited Trocadero on a Monday evening at about 7pm and to my surprise, the place was full of life. It would appear the Celtic Tiger is making a comeback judging by the atmosphere in the restaurant. The interior design is very elegant and stylish, with comfortable chairs and photographs of famous
people, many of which are autographed, covering the walls. The restaurant is surprisingly big, and is divided into four separate but equally beautiful rooms. The menu is wonderfully varied, with many fish, meat and vegetable options to suit everyone. The problem comes with deciding which dish to choose, as they all look so appealing. For starter, I had the chicken liver pâté served with hot toast and a cranberry glaze. I was very impressed, despite never having it before. The pâté was mild yet the overall dish was full of flavour, as was everything else I ate there. After some difficulty deciding which main I wanted, I ordered the cannelloni, which can only be described as rolled-up lasagne. It was simply delicious and was perfectly complemented by
the side salad. The dessert menu is very appealing, but I wanted something fairly light after the rather heavy main course, so I opted for the lemon tart with vanilla crème anglaise. Zesty yet sweet, this was a delightful ending to the meal.
BY AOIBHEANN DIVER
To accompany the dinner I had a lovely Pinot Grigio which really complemented the flavours of the food, particularly the starter. I also had a cosmopolitan to finish the evening, which was a little sharp but still enjoyable. Dining at Trocadero is
Is the wedgie the new skinny jean? L
evi have changed the denim game with their newly released jean-style, dubbed ‘The Wedgie’. The name, although strange, suits the style unequivocally. For anyone otherwise unaware, the Levi ‘Wedgie’ could be described as the lovechild of a Mom Jean and the Levi 710 Super Skinny jean. This style could be the new skinny with its sculpting design, featuring close back pockets tilted inwards, in an effort to create a more uplifted, rounded posterior. These jeans bear resemblance to many other more vintage styles offered by the brand, with a high waist, which endeavours to hug your hips and create
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or flatter a feminine figure. This style could potentially suit all shapes and sizes, with its cropped length and frayed hems. This jean may be perfectly paired with a multitude of footwear, ranging from the reliable trainers you always revert back to, to court shoes, creating a more sophisticated look, or even tucked into a pair of Chelsea or lace-up boots. After all, our climate isn’t the most kind at times. Apparently Levi sought to launch a new and fresh style, influenced by various young celebrities. Famous faces, such as models Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, have recently been spotted donning pairs of the brand’s most talked about denim, the classic 501 style.
They’re often paired with Converse, turtleneck tops and chunky knits, as well as double denim, giving off a retro feel. I firmly believe that the Wedgie could easily replace those custom cut-off’s seen in their hundreds during festival season. For one, they’re more practical for the weather often bestowed upon ticketholders, easily tucked into wellies, while still looking effortlessly stylish, and don’t appear to possess the attributes of an often uncomfortable super skinny jean. Although these jeans seek to live up to their namesake, a common classroom threat for youngsters, Levi claim that the jeans
a wonderful experience, but not one that can be done too often unless you have plenty of money. As a student, it wouldn’t be my number one choice of restaurant as it is quite pricey, but it is definitely somewhere to try if you really want to treat yourself.
BY ÁINE MARIE MONK
have little or no stretch, which begs the question as to how they may possibly be so flattering towards one’s figure.
In any case, the style is set to be adopted by those in the spotlight and surely those not in the spotlight also.