Masquerade Magazine Issue 2

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issue 2.

INTRODUCING

EMMA the artisan fashionista

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Give in to your desire

Bring your Electronic dreams to life

www.qubic4.com/luxury

contents UNMASKED P.11 P.21 P.34 P.37 P.38 P.42 P.58

ARTISAN FASHIONISTA - EMMA DURNELL LEGENDARY LOVE SEX & FASHION MUST HAVE LUXURY ST VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE THE NEW MCLAREN MP4-12C PANAMERICANA - A PORSCHE TRIBUTE

ENCHANTMENT P.16 P.46

ROMA ROMANTICA INDIA IN WONDERLAND

DECADENT P.06 P.20

TEMPTATION, TEASE, SEDUCTION - MOULIN ROUGE MASQUERADE MOVIE REVIEW

SURRENDER P.26 P.35

SANGUINE GEISHA BEAUTY FEATURE

P.44 P.51

9½ WEEKS - THE MOVIE THAT AWOKE IMAGINATION...

RECHARGE, REFRESH, RETREAT - UK SPA REVIEW

P.56

MASQUERADE GADGETS COVER - PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY STEER MODEL - JENNA HERLINGSHAW @ NEMESIS

MASQUERADE MAG TEAM: EDITOR: ROSALIND OKUSANYA. DEPUTY EDITOR: MARIUS KAMARA. CREATIVE DIRECTOR: CHRISJ. EDITORIAL CO-ORDINATOR/SUB EDITOR: NATASHA AL-ATASSI. DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: KEVIN PERSYN. BEAUTY DIRECTION: RICHARD HARVEY. MANAGING DIRECTOR: NAJI HADDAD. FINANCE DIRECTOR: AYMAN HADDAD. THE WRITERS:

MASQUERADE MAGAZINE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION: SIONED BANNISTER: WRITER. ROYAH FATHI: WRITER. ERIN BOYLAN: WRITER. FAYE CHEESEMAN: WRITER. SIAN RANSCOMBE: WRITER. SCOTT BUTT: WRITER. CHRIS J: WRITER. ROS OKUSANYA: WRITER. NATASHA AL-ATASSI: WRITER RUTH M SHEPHERD: PROOF READER.

ADDITIONAL THANKS TO: HECABE DUFRAISSE. SAMANTHA COULSON. MELISSA OKUSANYA. SARAH NEAL. + ALL CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Casual Elegance Perfects with Natural Beauty The new Sport Class XL-S is a sporty chic timepiece for the woman who appreciates casual elegance. Designed for day or night, the natural beauty of this sleek Gc timepiece features a unique bezel design with notched triangular segments. The dimension of this style is further enhanced by its dial; a combination of shimmering mother-of-pearl and textured sunray that makes the watch ever more alluring. The Sport Class XL-S is offered without diamonds, or in two captivating diamond versions; with either eight or 35 Wesselton-quality full cut diamonds set in a distinctive pattern on the bezel.

www.Gcwatches.com

masquerade approves

issue 2.

EDITORS NOTE

W

elcome to Issue two of Masquerade - ‘Fantasy & Seduction’.

Flying high, five hours till touchdown before I return back home from New York City. Thoughts of Fashion Week in the ‘Big Apple’ infiltrate my mind. The chosen theme exploring the darker side of fantasy and the lustful side of seduction screams wonders of a creative couture to tantalize and tease the reader.

This issue opens a nirvana of imagination, seducing the powers of reasoning with…

The Brit fashionista that is the genius ‘Emma Durnell’ Sarah Jones’ vision into ‘Wonderland’ The flamboyant style of the Parisian showgirl by Royah Fathi.

Natasha Al-Atassi unveiling her desire for Rome Sioned Bannister’s dark look into the Valentine’s Day Massacre Kevin Persyn’s look into iPad to seduce the tech savvies amongst us Masquerade has also indulged in the pleasures of Japanese Kimonos Old & New Global ventures Technological fixation ‘A bit of team bonding’

Enjoy!

Ros xxx I would love our readers to feel free to make any comments regarding any articles within this Issue to - rosalind@masquerademag.com

masquerade magazine

TEMPTATION, TEASE, SEDUC MASQUERADE WELCOMES YOU TO THE DECADENT HOME OF ‘LE FEERIE’

Wri

CTION

itten by Royah Fathi

www.moulinrouge.fr. Images: Overleaf - Law_Keven, www.flickr.com. This Page: artwork by KAIN

Rio Carnival 2010 February 13th - February 16th www.rio-carnival.net

masquerade approves

Emma Durnell Written by Roos Okusanya

Creatively amazing with a huge adorability factor too! Emma is the genius illustrator boasting a fashionista punch! Masquerade was delighted when Emma took the time to illustrate her vision of ‘Fantasy & Seduction’ for us.

Having followed Emma’s work for some time, as a true fashionista myself, I grasp her insight and her ideology. Spending time in New York City, thoughts of Egon Schiele, an exceptional artist, popped up in my mind with reference to Emma’s work. Schiele’s feminine and delicate lines can be seen in Emma’s sketches, though Emma differentiates in many ways with her own personal stamp. Her use of colour and attention to detail, with her carefree attitude and on-trend manner, is recognisable within her pieces.

It all began in 2007 after graduating with a BA Fashion Illustration degree at the prestigious London College of Fashion. After working as a freelance illustrator, Emma started working with London designer – Lamis Khamis. Since then, Emma has illustrated designs on an entire clothing line, ranging from t-shirts to dresses, expanding into the retail sector.

The ‘biggie’ for Emma is research; this savvy chick from Wales loves searching for, and indulging in, all things beautiful. From poignant historical periods such as the Tudor and Victorian eras to the emancipation of women after the Second World War, there is plenty of inspiration for this imaginative young lady.

As all things past equals all things new; Emma’s ability to pick up on emerging trends quite early makes her work truly unique. Pop culture or fashion in a way that a fashion illustration can be expressed across the global arena. ‘Fashion forward’ Emma utilises this method, which happily showcases her talent, thus giving her a real sense of ownership.

She currently works as a contributing illustrator for the Guardian Weekender magazine – her research heavily involves looking into heroines from novels, identifying and illustrating the key personality features of characters like Holly Golightly and Anna Karenina. As a fashion and culture fanatic of the supplement, this has been a pivotal and exciting point in Emma’s career.

Globally, Emma’s work is already recognisable and future ventures with a client in Los Angeles are taking her artistic talent to another level. It is an exciting time for Emma as her work is being viewed more and more. Each day brings something different for Emma and she loves the intensity of going about with her sketchbook and producing new art. The prospect of filling the pages with something fresh and exciting is overwhelming: “I like to really immerse myself in my drawings!”

Midnight Rain from La Prairie A night time scent that speaks to the spell binding, siren side in every woman Enjoying a free-spirited passion Midnight Rain is just the scent to complement a glamorous night on the town www.laprairie.com

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Everywhere you turn you can see it, hear it, sense it. It fills

Written by Natasha Al-Atassi

the air and brightens the sky...

If you’re not in love when you go to Rome, you will be by the time you’ve left. The city of many backdrops, Rome is most definitely about Italian passion, romance and amore. One of the most charmingly romantic places in the world, it’s no surprise that, between ancient ruins and baroque churches, cobbled paths and beautiful bridges, Rome is also the origin of our most loved festival: Valentine’s Day. February 14 means a lot to many people: a chance to show your loved one how much you care; an excuse to act sickly sweet with your lover, or even, the perfect time to propose, but little is really known of its origins. One thing for sure is that San Valentino (St Valentine) was martyred in the ancient city of Rome over 1700 years ago. And ever since, this central Italian province has been visited by millions recreating the love and passion that San Valentino died for.

Many legends surround the life, and indeed death, of St Valentine, so that no one really knows how or why we continue to celebrate his existence. The most popular story centres on Emperor Claudius II’s orders to ban all marriages so that more men would fight for the Roman Empire, without the problem of leaving their wives for long periods of time. Priest San Valentino defied Claudius’ orders and continued to secretly marry couples, believing in love beyond anything else. Displeased with Valentino’s defiance, the Emperor had him killed on February 14 273AD, in the ancient city of Rome. His belief in romance, passion and unconditional love ultimately led to his death.

TRAVEL INFORMATION BOX - Rome is one hour ahead of the UK and its currency is the EURO. Online Currency Exchange - www.xe.com. Rome’s two airports are For more information visit - www.rome.info or www.italiantouristboard.co.uk. Images: Overleaf - Raselased - Il Pinguino. This page: Background - Rosino. www.flickr.c

Since then, February 14 has been associated with Valentino’s message of love and one of the few places in the world where this bountiful passion still remains has to be Rome.

A city of timeless history, the word ‘romance’ seems to be symbiotically related to Rome. Everywhere you turn you can see it, hear it, sense it. It fills the air and brightens the sky but it is not false or overbearing. The love in Rome is cheeky, playful and on most occasions, genuine. Friends, lovers, relatives walk hand-in-hand throughout the city, sharing affectionate cuddles, snuggling up on park benches and sharing gelati (icecream) at one of the many al fresco cafés.

The rich history behind this city gives Rome an ardent quality; you can clearly imagine the passionate dramas within ancient ruins in il foro (forum), tales of secret rendezvous in terracotta alleys, and stolen kisses behind elaborately decorated chiesas (churches).

Love in Rome is raw, rare and real. And that’s what makes people want to experience it here. Riddled with simple romantic graces, you can spot it in evening strolls through narrow cobbled streets, and sitting in the mist of its many fountains.

Indeed, one of the most popular places in the world to propose, there are many places one can escape to enjoy the peace of a private love affair. Whilst the usual sites in Rome are still bursting with character, for a truly personal touch, opt for more private venues where you can share as many discreet kisses under the mid-winter sun as you wish.

No Valentine would be complete without a crisp red rose and meandering between its piazzas riddled with artists and musicians, you’ll find plenty.

Clutch a single rose stem from one of the many flower peddlars. Simple and elegant, you will look the very picture of love, strolling through medieval lanes delicately holding your single red rose. Indeed, simple and elegant - despite its mishmash of historical and architectural significance - is exactly what Rome is.

If you do nothing but walk arm-in-arm through its endless streets and eat delicious Roman food, enjoying your partner’s company, then, at the very least, you’ve probably fallen in love.

Though it can get busy in the summer months, Valentine’s Day brings out the best in Rome, allowing couples to share in their romance together and alone. A city that emits romance with every unheard story that echoes through the empty Forum, or resonates over cast iron balconies, Rome is nothing less than romantic, and everything more. And that’s of course, before the legend that credits Rome with its passion, love and amore; the legend of San Valentino.

e - Ciampino and Fiumicino. Ryan Air, Easyjet and Alitalia fly from London daily - www.alitalia.com. For a cruise on the Tiber River visit - www.battellidiroma.it. com. Pic strip left to right: Italiantouristboard. Uqbar, www.flickr.com. Italiantouristboard. Raselased - Il Pinguino, www.flickr.com. Italiantouristboard. Natasha Al Atassi.

THE WOLFMAN - For the Horror Loving Lovers

I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS - For Jim Carrey lovers

Who: Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins Directed by: Joe Johnston

Who: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGreggor Directed by: Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

Joe Johnston directs this remake of 1941 original, starring Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins. Famous for family classics such as ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Kids’ and ‘Jumanji,’ Invictus sees Johnston move into the horror genre, keeping the original plotline but adding his own stamp to it.

The film follows Lawrence Talbot (Del Toro) and his estranged father (Hopkins) who reunite after the disappearance of Talbot’s brother. The plotline then follows Talbot as he searches for his brother and learns of a curse that turns the afflicted into Werewolves when the moon is full. For fans of the original, this is a mustsee, although you may not love it quite as much.

For a love story with a difference, ‘I Love You Phillip Morris’ is the film to see this Valentine’s Day. Based on a book by Houston Chronicle Crime reporter Steve Mcvicker, ‘I Love You Phillip Morris’ sees Jim Carrey play happily married Texas policeman Steven Russell- who, after an accident, reassesses his life and realises he is gay. Turning to a life of fraud, Steven ends up in the State Penitentiary where he meets the love of his life, Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor).

The film concludes with Steven doing anything he can to create the perfect life for the two of them. This film is the directorial debut for Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, who began their careers at Nickelodeon and have since written ‘Cats and Dogs’ and ‘Bad Santa’.

www.thewolfmanmovie.com

www.phillipmorristhemovie.com

INVICTUS - For the more serious Lovers

VALENTINE’S DAY - For the Lovelorn

Who: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon Directed by: Clint Eastwood Invictus is the new offering from Clint Eastwood based on Nelson Mandela's life during the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. For those wanting a heartfelt true story, Invictus covers all bases. The film tells the story of Mandela (Morgan Freeman) at this time, following his release from prison and his election as President of South Africa. Mandela goes on to use the Rugby World Cup as a means to bring people together after apartheid. Matt Damon plays team captain "Francois Pienaar", who leads the team to victory, beating favourites New Zealand in the final.

Who: Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, Bradley Cooper and Anne Hathaway Directed by: Garry Marshall So you want the all-star mega cast and hit director? Well keep reading…’Valentine’s Day’ boasts one of the largest star-packed casts in movie history. Directed by Garry Marshall, the film is set to be huge and could easily be described as an American ‘Love Actually’.

The last few years have seen Eastwood come to the forefront as a director with his earnest and warm features and Invictus is no exception.

The film follows 10 love stories of the all-star cast on February 14. This will not be the first time Julia Roberts has collaborated with Marshall, having worked with him previously on ‘Pretty Woman’ and ‘Runaway Bride’.

http://invictusmovie.warnerbros.com

www.valentinesdaymovie.com

Click on icons to view trailers

Written by - Erin Boylan

Legendary

Love

TO LOVE OR NOT TO LOVE? Sioned Bannister explores the ups and downs of the greatest true-love stories.

Y

ou call it madness, but I call it love goes the song, and if love stories are anything to go by, then that’s fairly accurate. Hearts beating, pulses racing, giddy minds and a state of temporary lunacy. What is it about great love stories that the romantics among us adore so much? Heartbreaking tales of love lost, heroic tales of love fought for, passionate tales of love overcoming the odds. And let’s not forget the twists of fate, cruelties of deception, broken hearts and tragic endings. A great love story must have all the right ingredients to set hearts racing, and that is exactly what these great love stories have in common.

ORSON WELLS AND RITA HAYWORTH He was the brains to her beauty; she was the goddess to his genius. Theirs is widely renowned as one of the greatest Hollywood romances, and Welles had been infatuated with the actress since he saw her in the film Blood and Sand. They finally met at a dinner party given by a mutual friend, where he worked his magic and swept her off her feet. After a whirlwind romance, the couple married in the autumn of 1943 at a small ceremony that many of the couple’s closest friends found out about only when they read the newspaper the next day.

At the time, Rita was filming the musical Cover Girl, which went on to become one of her best known films and catapulted her to the top of Hollywood’s celestial set. Their daughter Rebecca was born at the end of 1944, but less than a year later their happiness was shattered and the couple separated. The reasons are not clear, but rumours abounded that Welles found the commitment of marriage difficult. But in true Hollywood style, friends of Rita’s later claimed that Orson was the love of her life.

RICHARD BURTON AND ELIZABETH TAYLOR Hollywood’s greatest love story is still going strong, according to a report in the Telegraph last Autumn. Despite the fact that the couple married twice, and divorced twice, Elizabeth Taylor still holds tragically a bright candle for Richard Burton, and it is believed that the pair would have re-married, had it not been for his death in 1984. The world can only wonder if it would have been third time lucky for this unpredictable pair.

The two met while filming Cleopatra in the early 1960s, and rumours soon spread like wild fire that the passionate love scenes they played were not all acted, despite both being married to other people. Their tempestuous relationship provided inches and yards for gossip columns internationally, and when they eventually married in 1964, the media went crazy. So uncontrollable was the public frenzy about the couple that the US Immigration Department threatened to have Burton deported because he was ''detrimental to the morals of the youth of our nation.''

After 10 years of tempestuous marriage, amid fierce rumours of Burton’s homosexuality and affairs, Taylor and Burton divorced in June 1974. They re-married again 15 months later in October 1975; only to have separated again before the first anniversary.

Overleaf - Orsen Wells and Rita Hayworth Image - Courtesy of www.doctormacro1.info Above - Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor Image - Everett Collection/Rex Features Ltd

ELIZABETH AND ROBERT BROWNING After illness and tragedy plagued the life of the Victorian poet, Elizabeth Barrett, by the time she was in her mid 30s she was an invalid and a recluse, writing poetry in her small bedroom on Wimpole Street in London and never daring to dream that Mr Right may be just around the proverbial corner.

When she published her book Poems in 1844, she attracted the attention of the dashingly handsome writer Robert Browning, who wrote to her expressing his great admiration for her work.

After meeting, they began a relationship but Elizabeth’s father was not pleased and disinherited his daughter as, it is believed, he’d forbidden his children to marry. But, the couple stayed strong in their love and they eloped in 1846 before romantically fleeing to Italy to live among the olive groves and sunshine of Florence, where they remained blissfully until Elizabeth’s death in 1861. Elizabeth’s father never forgave her and he refused to return her letters or see her again.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s most famous work, Sonnets from the Portuguese, is a deeply personal account of the courtship with her husband, and is widely regarded as one of the most romantic pieces of literature ever written.

ELTON JOHN AND DAVID FURNISH Tantrums, tiaras, flowers, Princess Diana tributes and gay wedding-of-the-year, are the things that superstar Sir Elton John is best known for, although he didn’t officially come out as gay until after his traditional marriage to Renate Blauel ended in the late 1980’s. The singer has sold a staggering 250 million records throughout his career, and he was already established as one of the UK’s most successful pop acts when he met the unknown David Furnish, a Canadian, who then worked as an advertising executive, at a party in 1993. The couple were instantly attracted to each other, and Furnish was thrust at high speed into the highs and lows of a celebrity lifestyle.

It is rumoured that Furnish helped Elton finally conquer his addiction to drugs and alcohol, and this loyal partner stood strong when Elton and his colourful finances were dragged through the courts, the media and the public eye during a bitter court battle in 2001 between Elton and his former accountants and managing company.

After the introduction of the civil partnership laws in 2005, the couple finally decided to tie the knot after 12 years together. Although the ceremony itself was said to be modest, the lavish party for 700 guests the next day was rumoured to cost over £1 million, in typical Elton style. They are perhaps the most famous gay couple in British show business, and despite rumours of further turbulent times as the couple tried, unsuccessfully, to adopt a Ukrainian toddler at the end of last year, it seems that Elton and David are truly devoted, and really are Ready for Love…may they live happily ever after.

Photographer - Kirstie Jane McNulty Fashion concept - Ros Okusanya, Kirstie Jane McNulty

OVERLEAF: Female Model Kimono - Vintage Kimono's, Sheila Cliffe Obi Belts - Form part of a Kimono set from Lucile, £295.00 www.lucileandco.com Male Model Suit - Kenneth Cole, £300.00 - House of Fraser, Manchester Red Tie - Kenneth Cole, £35.00 - House of Fraser, Manchester. www.houseoffraser.co.uk Shirt - Stylists own Female Model Kimono - Vintage Kimono's, Sheila Cliffe Obi Belts - Form part of a Kimono set from Lucile, £295.00 www.lucileandco.com Male Model Suit - Kenneth Cole, £300.00 - House of Fraser, Manchester Black Tie - Kenneth Cole, £35.00 - House of Fraser, Manchester Shirt - Stylists own Shoes - Cheaney, £195.00 - Edwards of Manchester. www.edwardsofmanchester.co.uk

Female Model Kimono - Vintage Kimono's, Sheila Cliffe Obi Belts - Form part of a Kimono set from Lucile, ÂŁ295.00 www.lucileandco.com Male Model Suit - Kenneth Cole, ÂŁ300.00 - House of Fraser, Manchester Shirt - Stylists own

Female Model Kimono - Vintage Kimono's, Sheila Cliffe Male Model Black Tie - Kenneth Cole, ÂŁ35.00 - House of Fraser, Manchester.

Shirt - Stylists own

Models - Lanie Wilson @ Boss Models, Joe Agu @ Nemesis Hair and Make-Up - Wai-Sheim Li, assisted by Danielle James Stylist - Lisa Maynard-Atem Many Thanks to SugarBuddha, Manchester.

Written by Faye Cheeseman

The January sales can often be the antidote to exciting fashion. While there’s the outside chance of raising the pulse by landing a decent bargain, so often now we are encouraged to approach the sales like a military manoeuvre; the planning, the implementation, the decision-making and strategy.

All to ensure the sensible purchase of a pair of jeans or cashmere knit that we’ll enjoy until the cost per wear renders them practically free. And assuming you have the heart to rummage through the uninspiring piles of garments that are only still around because no one wanted them the last time.

So thank goodness for spring/summer 2010 and the promise of a more illicit pleasure at the stores. Underwear as outerwear is back and, this time, the subtle-as-a-brick flash of a neon bra strap just won’t do it. This time it’s about luxury and quality; and it’s about sex. And what better time of year to start thinking about it.

The catwalks this season offer a veritable smorgasbord of sex in all its incarnations from ethereal virgin to confident vamp. So there’s plenty of choice out there to pick and choose from in happy recognition of the fact that not everyone’s definition of ‘sexy’ is the same, depending on where you fall on the less-is-less to less-is-more spectrum.

If you want the coy, girlish femininity of nudes, chiffon and lace try Ferretti, Erdem and Givenchy. Gauzy fabrics and sheer panels allow a more subtle and romantic flash of flesh and at Givenchy, Riccardo Tischi has married broderie anglaise with tailoring in a delicious, draping antidote to the buttonedup heaviness of winter tweed. Or take inspiration from Stella who paired 70s-style denim and her eponymous blazer with a Dolce & Gabbana teasing flicker of white lace.

For harder-edged sex appeal, head to Dolce & Gabbana or Dior for Lady Gaga-inspired corsetry and gothic spiderwebs of delicate black lace. John Galliano plays with Agent Provocateur expectations with the dark hems of dresses Nick Kamen Dolce & Gabbana mimicking stocking tops and the introduction of trompe l’oeil suspenders. It’s rare that high fashion makes getting dressed in the morning an easier experience... Marc Jacobs has also Givenchy Nick Kamen introduced a more colourful and humorous element, taking underwear as outerwear Brook Shield Stella McCartney walk with vibrant blue, lilac and rose pink rather more literally by having his models satin sets over their clothing and offering hot pants galore.

If you are a longstanding lingerie enthusiast with DIY fashion tendencies then you may Brook Shield Agent Provocateur well already have the right tools at your Givenchy disposal.

Turn to your lingerie drawer and Stella McCartney rescue the tantalizing confections within from obscurity. Brands such as Agent Provocateur, La Perla and Myla are so alluringly beautiful, that it’s almost a crime to hide them away. And if you find your ‘drawers’ are in need of an update, then a few subtle hints for Valentine’s Day may not go amiss. Myla’s beautiful silk-satin front-opening Cassandra bra with its tantalising, pendulous scarlet bow offers an enticing alternative to the standard gift wrap...

One can’t help but feel that this is part of a natural progression too. AW 09 brought us anti-recession opulence via a procession of brocade and pailettes that carried us through the party season; with delicately beautiful comfort-blanket knits (courtesy of Missoni) to see us through the hangovers. But that’s a whole lot of layers and now it’s a strident back-to-basics from many of the key fashion players. Instead of cocooning the body, designers are using their clothing to unwrap and enhance it in a heady rush of chiffon, lace, ruffles and structured lingerie. The wearer’s skin is as much a part of the overall effect as the garments themselves.

Fashion and sex have always been very willing bed fellows. Just look at the language: the latest “lust-have”, the “desirability factor” – good fashion is the stomach flip, the shoe that is more fetish than function and the orgasmic indulgence of silk on bare skin. And all in the industry know that sex sells. From Brooke Shield’s Lolita-esque turn for Calvin Klein, through Nick Kamen’s sultry Laundromat striptease for Levi’s to Kylie’s seductive, suspender-clad writhings astride a bucking bronco for Agent Provocateur, the wheels of the advertising juggernaut have been kept turning with nubile, toned bodies for many years. The fashion evolutionists who have always been of the opinion that the best of fashion’s plumage is designed for the thrill of the chase must be celebrating with verve at what the next few months will offer.

You are part of a long and sensual tradition. So indulge yourself; whether you’re in Dolce, Myla or the altogether. The secret thrill of sashaying through your day with the confident hip swing and Mona Lisa smile that only the finest of lingerie can bring is about to get titillatingly public.

Marc Jacobs

Sex Fashion

Dior Erdem Fashion

MarcDior JacobsSex Erdem

Beauty CLINIQUE SUPER FIT MAKEUP £20.00 Lightweight, oil-free formula allows skin to breathe; skin feels comfortable and looks fresh. www.clinique.co.uk

EIGHT HOUR CREAM SKIN PROTECTANT £23.00 The skincare classic that soothes, restores, calms and helps relieve chapped, cracked, dry skin. Soothes roughness, redness and minor skin irritations. www.elizabetharden.com

LE VERNIS Particuliere £16.00 www.chanel.com

HYPNÔSE DRAMA Instant Full Body Volume Mascara £20.00 www.debenhams.com

Photographer - Gary Steer Model - Jenna Herlingshaw @ Nemesis Hair and Make-Up - Richard Harvey @ Nemesis

Luxury

Must have

Tweezerman Luxe Edition Crystal Slant Tweezers, £75 Exclusive to Harrods Let’s face it, tweezing eyebrows is not exactly the most glamorous or exciting beauty procedure in the world, but it’s definitely a necessary one. Tweezerman, as the name suggests, are renowned for their expertise in this area, and the hand-filed tips to their tools are unrivalled in achieving the perfect brow. This limited edition version of their classic slant tweezers, favoured by make-up artists for over 25 years, is covered in Swarovski crystals and is presented in a silver leather pouch. Extravagant, but if these won’t make the task of tweezing more pleasurable, what will? Unsurprisingly, this product is exclusive to Harrods. (available in a range of colours) www.harrods.com

Rouge G de Guerlain lipstick, £25 Available at Sephora Comprising a lip colour, a mirror and a magnifying mirror, you may find yourself wondering how everything fits into this limited edition lippie from Guerlain. With over 25 colours to choose from, the formulation is creamy enough to moisturise your lips and has impressive staying power as well. Although you will definitely need to reapply during the day, it’s highly likely touch-ups will be less than a hardship when the product is as gorgeous – and innovative – as this. Favourite shades? Gentiane, a perfect pale pink, and Gaia, a deep, deep red that will be perfect for February 14. www.sephora.com

Diamond Extreme Eye Cream, £122.34 Natura Bissé Still recovering from the party season? Never worry, for £122 your youthful visage can be restored with this revolutionary eye cream from Barcelona –based skin experts, Natura Bissé. Botanical extracts promise to enhance the skin’s lymphatic drainage system to reduce the appearance of the dreaded tell-tale signs of partied-out peepers.

The award-winning cream, which can also be used on the lip contour zone, is formulated with a skin-protecting Epidermal Self Modulator, which acts as a barrier against damage to these delicate areas. Used twice daily, Diamond Extreme might even fool the most critical into thinking you’re getting 10 hours’ kip a night. www.naturabisse.es

Midnight Rain Eau de Parfum 50 ml, £73 La Prairie Midnight Rain, one of Swiss company La Prairie’s three famed fragrances, might well be aimed at women but is deep enough to appeal to either sex – not a bad thing if you’re planning to become a mistress of seduction this Valentine’s Day. With notes of freesia, white lily and amber flower, this floral fragrance goes on strong but calms down after a while to become wonderfully wearable. For those who like to judge books by covers, or perfumes by bottle, La Prairie comes up trumps with its glittery droplet-shaped bottle resembling perfectly a drop of… well, Midnight Rain! www.laprarie.com

Written by Sian Ranscombe

AND SO WAS THE BLOOD OF THE SEVEN MEN MASSACRED IN THE LARGEST GANGSTER REVENGE KILLING CHICAGO HAD EVER SEEN Written by Sioned E Bannister SINCE 1929, VALENTINE’S DAY IN CHICAGO HAS BEEN REMEMBERED FOR SOMETHING A LOT MORE SINISTER THAN HEARTS AND ROSES. SIONED BANNISTER INVESTIGATES THE MOST NOTORIOUS GANGLAND SHOOTING OF THE 20TH CENTURY. The frantic howling echoed around the dark, cold garage. The dog ran from one side to the other, the howling and barking becoming louder and louder as the animal desperately tried to attract somebody’s attention. He sidestepped engines, machinery, tools, and the seven wounded corpses that lay bleeding on the dirty floor of the bleak garage.

The dog, a German shepherd named Highball, would turn out be the only surviving witness of what was later described by the media frenzy as the ‘St Valentine’s Day Massacre’.

The mean streets of Chicago were not a pretty place in 1929. The winter had been long and cold, and the snow was still falling like confetti on the morning of February 14. While lovers around the world were celebrating passions and lusts, the war between Chicago’s rival gangs was about to take a sharp turn for the worse…..

In the 1920s, Americans were living in the midst of the Prohibition Era. Between 1920 and 1933, the manufacture, sale and distribution of all alcoholic drinks was banned, supported mainly by religious groups who blamed bars and saloons for the loss of traditional values, the increase in promiscuity and the rise of corruption among politicians and businessmen.

However, the plan backfired and opened avenues of extreme profit for the country’s criminal underworld. Producing and selling alcohol for the rapacious masses turned out to be a far lower risk than the traditional crimes of robberies and kidnapping. Police departments and the government too, turned a blind, and presumably, very corrupt eye to the bootleggers, as the illegal alcohol dealers became known and the underground bars or speakeasy clubs that were popping up all over the country.

Gangs that had previously controlled criminal activity in cities now turned to controlling the distribution of alcohol. And this is where two of the most famous gangsters of all time take centre stage. Enter George ‘Bugs’ Moran, who ruled the notorious Irish North Side gang, and his arch enemy Al ‘Scarface’ Capone, who had risen to power and was in charge of the larger South Side, run mainly by Italian-Americans.

The events running up to the ‘massacre’ had been brewing, between the two gangs for five years. Several murders and attempted assassinations of its leaders were executed between 1924 and 1929, not to mention numerous shootings of side-kicks and accomplices.

Tensions were running high.

It would be fair to say then, that the residents of Chicago were more than used to the bloody gang warfare carried out between the bootleggers. Yet, the massacre on Valentine’s Day not only shocked the city, but caught the attention of the world. >>

THE MASSACRE IS CREDITED WITH THE DOWNFALL OF BOTH MORAN AND CAPONE Around mid-morning on February 14, seven of Moran’s men had been lured into a garage, it is thought, on the promise of a long-awaited delivery of alcohol. Moran was supposed to be joining them, but was running late, and when he saw two uniformed police officers enter the building just after his men, he ducked into a café to avoid what he thought would be a police raid. While he was sipping a cappuccino, little did he know that his men were being lined up against the wall by the ‘policemen’ and violently shot with the gangster weapon of the time, the Thompson sub-machine gun.

That the world was shocked by the brutality of this bloody gang battle is no surprise. Chicago had never seen savagery like it. Although a huge investigation was immediately undertaken by the local police authorities and the FBI, no-one was ever tried.

Of course, Capone was an instant suspect, and it catapulted him to the front of every national and international newspaper as the world’s press became ravenous for facts. Until then, he was relatively unknown, but his suspected involvement made him a household name and the most notorious gangster in the world.

But, Capone was too clever to be caught. At the time of the shooting he made sure he was safely ensconced at his Florida holiday home, and the other gun-men who were known to work for Capone quickly found their own alibis.

Although the FBI could not find any solid evidence to pin on Capone, or any of his gang, the aftermath of the massacre had long-lasting effects on the South Side mob. Eventually, Capone was charged with nothing more than income tax evasion, but this was enough to incarcerate him for eleven years in 1931.

Bugs Moran had lost most of the senior members of his gang, and the North Siders never really recovered, and a new gang, the Chicago Outfit took control a couple of years later. The war between the two chiefs hit deadlock and the conflict was never really resolved.

The massacre is credited with the downfall of both Moran and Capone.

The events of the St Valentine’s Day Massacre are shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The hunt for clues has thrilled historians and budding crime detectives for over 80 years.

WHO’S WHO? AL CAPONE - LEADER OF THE ITALIAN SOUTH SIDE GANG GEORGE “BUGS” MORAN - NORTH SIDE IRISH GANG LEADER JACK MCGURN - SAID TO HAVE MASTERMINDED THE ATTACK. HE LATER BECAME KNOWN AS “MACHINE GUN” JACK. HE WAS KILLED, IT IS SUSPECTED, BY MORAN’S GANG IN 1936.

DEAN O’BANNION - FORMER LEADER OF THE NORTH SIDE GANG, WHO WAS MURDERED IN 1924 BY THE THEN HEAD OF THE SOUTH SIDERS, JOHNNY TORRIO

JOHNNY TORRIO - FORMER HEAD OF THE SOUTH SIDE GANG AND AL CAPONE’S MENTOR. PURPLE GANG

VICTIMS: PETER GUSENBERG AND HIS BROTHER FRANK GUSENBERG. IT IS BELIEVED THAT FRANK AND PETER ATTEMPTED TO MURDER JACK MCGURN A FEW MONTHS PRIOR.

ALBERT KACHELLEK - MORAN’S DEPUTY ADAM HEYER - ACCOUNTANT TO THE MORAN GANG REINHART SCHWIMMER - AN OPTICIAN WHO WAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE ALBERT WEINSHANK - MANAGED MORAN’S CLEANING OPERATIONS. HE IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN THE SPITTING IMAGE OF MORAN, WHICH MADE CAPONE’S LOOK-OUTS BELIEVE THAT MORAN WAS ALREADY PRESENT AND SET THE SHOOTING OFF TOO EARLY

JOHN MAY - MECHANIC TO THE MORAN GANG

As investigations waned and then intensified as new evidence came to light, fingers have been pointed at many Chicago gangsters.

Although there are countless theories, to this day, even experts are unsure exactly how the murders were planned, plotted and executed. These are the secrets that have by now been taken to the graves of Chicago’s criminals.

As with all good mystery stories, there is a strange contradiction in the fact that the most spectacular gangster slaughter of the 20th Century was actually not successful. The assumed target, Moran, walked free and alive, long after Capone was locked up. If Capone’s undertaking was to rid Chicago of his rival and take control of the city himself, he certainly failed dramatically.

Article artwork by KAIN

alex Dual-Screen Google Android-based E-book Reader, Hyperlinking Text with Multimedia

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MASQUERADE TAKES A LOOK AT THE FANTASTIC NEW A Designed by Frank Stephenson for McLaren Automotive, the MP4-12C is a car so beautiful it could stand alongside the supermodels of the automotive catwalk, the Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari 458 holding its head high.

The successor to the famous 240 mph (390 kmh) McLaren F1, the MP4-12C has many new features that will excite

B It has a 3.8 litre M838T engine. This engine produces 600bhp thanks to its V8 twin turbochargers. 0 to 60 mp speed of more than 200 mph.

B The car is lower, shorter and narrower that all of its rivals, which makes it feel more agile on the road.

B It has a unique one-piece chassis structure made of carbon fiber which forms the entire passenger compartme aluminum structure.

B The car's interior will be nothing like the one of its predecessor the McLaren F1, as it will seat two side-by-side B McLaren claims the car has more power per gram of CO2 than any car that's not fully electric; not so surprising concentrate on economy rather than power.

B Available from 2011, the price will range between ÂŁ125,000 and ÂŁ175,00, with approx 1000 being made each year.

All in all the McLaren MP4-12C has the makings of a true classic Masquerade definately approves.

ADDITION TO THE MCLAREN FAMILY

e aficionados of the brand.

ph in less than 3.5 seconds and a top

ent, and McLaren says it's twice as stiff as a comparable

e rather than the irregular 1+2 formation. given that most hybrids

Above top - The MP4-12C sits alongside its brothers at the Mclaren headquarters in Woking Above middle - The 3.8 litre M838T engine Above bottom - The new interior Images - Mclaren. www.mclarenautomotive.com

9½ WEEKS. Distributed by MGM. Buy from Amazon.

artwork by KAIN.

Written by Chris J

Over the years there have been many films that touch on the subject of seduction. In my mind there’s only one film that completely epitomises the idea of Fantasy & Seduction. That film is the excellent '9½ Weeks'.

Let’s go back to the mid 1980s. Our movie screens back then were full of the typical ’Rocky-Arnie-Rambo' style clones, endless stream of teen movies like Porky’s, and the nearest thing we had to anything seductive were the old Emmanuelle films starring Sylvia Kristel.

So in February 1986, just when another Mad Max film had took its toll at the box office and the Back to the Future franchise had yet to dominate, out of the blue came 9½ Weeks. Starring a young and definitely more handsome Micky Rourke (John) and the Hollywood starlet of the day Kim Basinger (Elizabeth), 9½ Weeks took us on a journey of pure imagination and sexual intrigue; a journey that we had never seen on our movie screens before.

Directed by British-born Adrian Lyne who had previously worked on Flashdance, the movie documents the short and destructive sexual relationship between Elizabeth and John. She, an art gallery worker, he a wealthy Wall Street exec with a penchant for the non 'vanilla' (conventional ideas of sex) side of life.

The relationship starts after Elizabeth’s divorce from her ex-husband. She yearns for something new and exciting and that excitement comes in the form of John whom she happens upon in a downtown flea market. He shows her an alternative view of life and introduces her to a new level of sexual arousal, something that was missing from her life.

She quickly falls under John’s spell and together they begin to explore his erotic tendencies. She becomes more and more willing to indulge his strange requests but before long it spirals into raunchier and more risqué sex. The levels the couple go to push the boundaries of lust intensify dramatically, until John pushes the envelope a little too far and introduces a third party, in the form of a Spanish prostitute, to a blindfolded Elizabeth in a downtrodden motel room.

This proves to be the turning point for her; she has to get out now before she becomes totally immersed in his world.

She longs for a more emotional involvement and realises that John is unable or unwilling to give her that.

Where, in my opinion, this film is light years ahead of its rivals, is the fact that other films may have had one or two saucy moments, but 9½ Weeks was a complete trip into fantasy and seduction. Sure, we may have had Sharon Stone and William Baldwin’s dinner table scene from Sliver, not to mention Madonna's highly charged wax scene from Body of Evidence but all in all, nothing could rival the scope and imagination of 9½ Weeks.

Who can remember the Joe Cocker classic You Can Leave Your Hat On playing while Elizabeth seductively slips out of her clothes in an attempt to show John that she is content to be on his alternative but somewhat controlling wavelength. And let’s not forget the projector scene where Elizabeth finally lets go completely and experiences for herself a whole new level of satisfaction.

If you were to ask the women I know who saw 9½ Weeks when it was released, they will tell of the impact that film had on their sex life. All of a sudden there was a sense of imagination in the bedroom, a naughtier, darker kind of pleasure to be had. I myself, can still remember the first time I tried the ice cube trick, and the response it got. I also remember thinking of all the possible uses for a fridge full of food. Unfortunately I missed out on the thrill of throwing money across the floor for my partner to crawl on all fours and pick up with her teeth, as it didn’t have the same impact with one pound coins (hey, I was young and broke!) Many husbands and boyfriends all over the world, now had a 'manual' for seducing their woman and it seemed to work pretty well.

I honestly don’t think there has been a film to rival 9½ Weeks in the last 20 years. It stands up just as strong today in the genre as it did all those years ago. Since then there have been plenty of movie moments that have caught our attention, but a complete journey into the world of Fantasy & Seduction - I don’t think so!

Photographer - SARAH JONES

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ECHARGE EFRESH ETREAT There may be a while to go before summer arrives, but who says you need a beach holiday for rest and relaxation?

Sian Ranscombe reviews some of the top spas in the good old English countryside.

RAGDALE HALL HEALTH HYRDO, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire The only UK spa to have achieved a Health Spa of the Year award every year since 1999, Ragdale Hall was also recently voted Best Spa in Europe. The retreat is situated in the Leicestershire countryside and looks like it belongs in a BBC period drama.

Looks are deceiving as it actually boasts world-class facilities such as a state-of-the-art gym, a 25-metre swimming pool, a thermal spa, a sanarium and two separate exercise studios.

The large dining room serves top-notch nosh and, of course, those on residential stays can also opt for breakfast in bed.

www.ragdalehall.co.uk

HARROGATE TURKISH BATHS & HEALTH SPA, NORTH YORKSHIRE Harrogate has been a famous spa town since 1571 so it’s no surprise that this day spa gets such impressive reviews. Restoration work was completed on the Turkish baths, owned by the council, in 2004. The spa offers alternative medical treatments such as hot stone massage, reiki and reflexology, and its unique selling point is its three inter-connecting hot room chambers. Guests start in the coolest chamber (which is still warm!), then make their way to the hotter calidarium before ending up in the hottest of the lot, the laconium. www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-1100

CHAMPNEYS TRING, HERTFORDSHIRE Awarded five ‘bubbles’ by the Good Spa Guide, this stately home has been beautifying clients since 1925 when it first opened as a health farm.

The grounds are stunning and a day trip certainly benefits from beautiful weather. Champneys offers all the treatments expected in an award-winning spa, and has the added luxury of its own Thalassotherapy pool - a jet pool with mineral-enriched waters which are said to help circulatory and respiratory problems as well as doing wonders for general aches and pains.

www.champneys.com

BIG BANG IN RED Red - the colour of undying love, on a dazzling, feminine and elegant Big Bang. The Art of Fusion emanates in all its glory from this watch created as an expression of true love: a crimson dial decorated with a diamond bezel, a white ceramic case and an alligator leather and rubber strap. A gift that says more than any poem, a dress watch that proclaims love better than any words!

www.hublot.com

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+;MKO?L;>? %;>A?NM Whats hot in the world of Gadgetry by Kevin Persyn

GOOGLE NEXUS ONE The Google Nexus One will be available from Vodafone in the UK, it’s just been announced.

Yes, hot off the press from Google’s Mountain View HQ is news that British Android fans will be able to snap up a Nexus One from Google and slap it onto a Vodafone tariff.

The Nexus One comes packing a tasty 3.7 inch screen (bigger than the iPhone’s), and will also come with Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 5-megapixel camera and microSD card slot offering memory expandable to 32GB. www.google.com/phone

SCHULTZEWORKS, PHILCO PC The design of the Philco PC was inspired by the 1954 design classic Philco Predicta, as well as an eclectic mixture of modern minimalism, the steampunk movement, and antiques. As lead designer Dave Schultze explains, ‘The result is a design aesthetic that blends multiple elements of the familiar, but with some surprisingly fresh styling that just so happens to house a state-of-the-art Windows 7 PC.’ www.schultzeworks.com

APPLE IPAD Apple have just introduced iPad, a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch™ display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds - thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March.

IPAD comes in 16 GB ,32GB and 64GB. WIFI+3G coming in April www.apple.com

ONKYO PA-MC5500 THX ULTRA 2-CERTIFIED 9-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER Onkyo's mighty 26kg flagship power amplifier is sure to set any cinephile's heart fluttering, with a dazzling specification that puts it firmly into high-end territory.

Benefitting from a host of exclusive amplifier technologies developed in-house by Onkyo It delivers a hefty 220w and Onkyo's first THX-certified Blu-ray system has been conceived to achieve nothing short of cinematic excellence in the home.

Each of the components has been rigorously tested by the sound and vision engineers at THX and found to meet (and exceed) the exacting standards they set for delivering the ultimate home cinema experience in large rooms.

That unqualified endorsement speaks volumes for the innate quality of this system. In cinephile terms praise simply doesn't come any higher www.eu.onkyo.com

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Porsche’s new 4 door tribute to th

V c Z TR _ R Written by Scott Butt

he legendary race of the 1950’s

>>

¿>R_j aV`a]V SV]ZVgV eYRe eYV Á4RccVcR AR Z_daZcReZ`_ SVYZ_U eYV 8f^SR]] CR]]j R_U 4 A 1950s racing driver is generalised as a dashing, moustached gentleman racer. This may be true, but it glosses over the iron will and steely determination that these tough men possessed. The danger that the early racing drivers endured cannot be underestimated. The stories of the most perilous race in history, the Carrera Panamericana, have become so legendary that they have been recreated by modern sports cars trying to capture the thrill, exhilaration and adrenaline of the renowned contests some 50 years ago.

The Carrera Panamericana wasn’t born out of passion for racing or a desire to exhibit the world’s finest motor vehicles. It took its first steps as an advertising campaign. To publicise the completion of the Mexican section of the Panamerican Highway in 1950, the Mexican government decided to stage a race.

In the same year as the modern F1 Championship had its very first race, won by Giuseppe Farina, the Panamericana was penning its racing history as one of the most grueling and dangerous openroad races ever. Similar to the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio in Italy, the first Carrera Panamericana ran from the Mexican/Texas border and finished in Chihuahua, Mexico.

Dangerous speeds gained the race notoriety for the loss of life at every event, losing 27 lives between 1950 and 1954, when it was cancelled due to the high number of casualties. Drivers, co-drivers and spectators were injured or killed. But it wasn’t just its danger that gave it a name.

The legacy was fuelled by the glamour of the races, drivers, and the classic image of the ‘sports car’. The race attracted representatives from all of the major race disciplines from F1 to Stock Car. Bill France, the founder of NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) was at its first and subsequent races. Many people even believe that the Panamericana was the inspiration behind the Gumball Rally and Cannonball Run films and later, the real ‘Gumball Rally’ held recently

by Maximillian Cooper.

Despite only a four-year life span, the Panamericana legend was born. Many European and American car manufacturers would use this race to help lend their modern cars some racing pedigree from the past. Carrera Panamericana was groundbreaking in establishing Porsche’s racing heritage, after becoming one of their first major successes.

Even today, Porsche uses the Carrera Panamericana’s prestige and notoriety as part of its image.

In giving their latest car and first 4 door saloon the name Panamera, Porsche is trying to invoke the picture conjured up by the great race. Porsche is no stranger to this; the Carrera also takes its name from the Panamericana. This brand recognition extends to the look of the car as well. The look may well divide people but it is unmistakably a Porsche.

The Carrera Panamericana has successfully helped establish Porsche’s image as a thrilling and exhilarating ‘Uber Sport Saloon’. Only the Bentley Flying Spur, Maserati Quatraporte (literally ‘four door’) or the forthcoming Aston Martin Rapide are its serious rivals.

Your choice of marque, whether for motor racing or simply for the prestige, will probably determine which one you desire. Though the Panamera will probably be the choice of motorists for a while, there is another about to enter the fray, exuding the classic glamour and speed of the Panamericana…

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Guillermo Suhr Contreras and Oscar Alfonso driving a Porsche 356

Carrera Panamericana 1954

Images: Overleaf - main pic. Zanthia, This page - main. Beast 1/phil. top/bottom - Carmaglover. www.flickr.com

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