LONDON’S BRAND NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE HAS ARRIVED!
December Issue 1 Free
www.thelondonbug.co.uk
PLUS
STEPHEN FRY AND WHY HE FEELS LIKE A PRINCE INTERVEIW WITH PROJECT CATWALK’S
JASPER GARVIDA
WHATS ON IN LONDON 5 TIPS FOR LOOKING HOT THIS WINTER 10 STEPS TO RELAXATION OUR BAND OF THE MONTH
Contents
Info and Contacts: Editor: Edward Peterson editor@thelondonbug.co.uk Copy editor: Hayley Michaels Fact checker: Hayley Michaels copy@thelondonbug.co.uk Creative Director: Urszula Lipinska design@thelondonbug.co.uk Fashion Editor: Stevey Paris style@thelondonbug.co.uk
Fry becomes a Prince 7
Health Contributor: Lesley Lyon health@thelondonbug.co.uk
Local
Music Editor: Alex Tefler music@thelondonbug.co.uk (do not send MP3s) Business Contributor: Carolyn Clayton business@thelondonbug.co.uk Culture Contributor: Fiona Muller culture@thelondonbug.co.uk Food & Restaurants food@thelondonbug.co.uk Advertising Manager: Jason Scott sales@thelondonbug.co.uk Managing Director: Brad Green brad@thelondonbug.co.uk
164 Kensington High Street Kensington London W8 7RG Switchboard: 0845 481 8585 Email: info@thelondonbug.co.uk The London Bug is a trading name of and is produced by Bug Publishing LTD Registred in England & Wales No. 7031583
Garvida on Catwalk 37
Form your band 41
The food of love 5 Hail the cab! - fry becomes a prince! 7 Starting a business? 9 One in a million 11
Lifestyle Smooth Operator 14 Conquer Stress Ahead Of The Festive Season 15 Why Londoners Should Swap Cappuccino For Green Tea 17 Top Ten Techniques for Relaxation Bliss! 19 2nd Date Hoohah 22 10 Ways To Impress Your Man 23 Tranquillity Within An Hour Of London 25
Culture
Wine As A Gift This Christmas 26 Baltic 28 Finding Fine Art 30 The English Renaissance Period 31 Art Review 32
Fashion
Fashion Editor’s Blog 35 Fashion 5 Tips 36 Project Catwalk’s Jasper Garvida 37
Music Location, location, location 39 Marc Perrin 40 5 Steps To Succsessfully Forming A Band 41 The London Bug’s Top New Years Eve Nights 45 December nightlife Diary With Egg Nightclub 46
Editors Letter
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ell hello and welcome to the very first issue of The London Bug, hereinafter affectionately known as “The Bug”. We guess that our title technically makes all of our readers “Buggers”, but let’s forget that for just a minute. The London Bug is a totally free, monthly publication aimed at Londoners who love London. It’s filled with idiosyncratic insights, pictures, facts, reviews and gossip together with a healthy dose of stylish review of London and the Arts. In essence, The London Bug contains something for everyone. Our magazine may indeed have come through your door, it may have come to your business, you may have even been forced to take one by our somewhat overenthusiastic distribution team, who have been strategically placed at London train stations, but however you got it, we hope that you will enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed producing it. Although only around 20,000 Londoners will see The London Bug at the moment, we aim to be printing a whopping 100,000 copies by the time London hosts the 2012 Olympics! In the meantime, while we are still wet behind the ears, we would be very interested to know what you thought about our magazine and have created a little page you can visit to tell us if we did a good (or bad) job, just go to www.thelondonbug.co.uk/rateus.html and tell us what you thought. Our entire team are all young, dynamic and love what they do, be it journalism, photography or design. So be the first to shun whatever unrefined drivel every other person is reading on the Metro (cough)... Sorry, I mean on the train, and proudly be the first to be a Bugger in public! ;) If you really like the Bug, every issue is kept online in simple, easy to use, digital “flick-through” format. You can flick through the pages online as if you had the magazine in front of you, should you not be lucky enough to get a copy of next month’s issue 2 coming out January 2010. Simply go to our website www.thelondonbug.co.uk or better still search for us on facebook, our first name is London and our Surname is Bug. All the very best and enjoy what you see! Happy Christmas
Ed
LONDON BUSINESS
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The food of love BRAD GREEN catering industry. Isabelle truly seems to have found her calling as everything she makes is rich, full of exciting flavour and beautifully presented.
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The Melange, or “The Mixture”, for those of us who failed GCSE French, is quite literally the melting pot of all things chocolate. The shop itself is a laid back urban oasis of natural charm and character. “I try to preserve everything being handmade without machinery” says Chocolatier and founder Isabelle Alaya who started The Melange back in 2004 after working extensively in the
The Melange, now five years old offers many varieties of fine handmade truffles, lots of varieties of melt in the mouth
DECEMBER 2009
am fairly sure that chocolate may not be on the forefront of the minds of the majority, though perhaps it is for those of us who are self-confessed chocoholics and can’t live without the stuff. If you have ever been fortunate enough to travel to France, then you have probably sampled one of the many culinary delights the French are so adept at, “hot chocolate”. Well, put away your passport as France and Belgium need no longer be the Mecca of those seeking fine chocolate. So where is? Well, you certainly won’t need a ferry to get there. Neatly tucked away at 184 Bellenden Road, Peckham is a quaint, rustic chocolate shop with a passion for producing fine products using fine ingredients.
“I love chocolate, the idea for the business came after I was trying to imagine what I would like to do in later life. Before opening the shop I spent two years perfecting my skills after studying chocolate making and used all of my friends as guinea pigs, which they were really happy about”
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chocolate bars and the very best hot chocolate this side of the Channel Tunnel made with a monstrous fifty grams of chocolate!
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The Melange also offers fantastic “experience” style packages such as “Learn to Make your own Chocolate” combining the Melange skill together with natural, pure ingredients and flavours. Before eating and taking home everything you make on the day, you get to prepare your own fillings, shape and dip them into the 3 colours melted and tempered chocolate and turn them into your very own mouth-watering designs. You finally get to wrap and take everything home with you to share, oh who am I kidding, to single-handedly scoff. This really is a treat perfect for Hen and Corporate events, or even Kids birthday parties. Melange advise you to allow a minimum of 3 hours to complete the experience which can be at their quaint chocolate shop in Peckham or even in your own house or premises LB
For corporate events, private events and all your chocolate needs contact Melange directly on: Web: http://www.TheMelange.com/ email: info@themelange.com call: 07722 650 711
LONDON BUSINESS
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Hail The Cab! – Fry Becomes a Prince!
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Many celebrities are known to use hackney carriages both for their anonymity and their manoeuvrability in London traffic. Oil millionaire Nubar Gulbenkian drove about in a custombuilt gold and black car, designed to look like a vintage London taxi and powered by a Rolls-Royce engine, because he had been told “it can turn on a sixpence — whatever that is.” . Such celebrity users also include Prince Philip, whose cab has been converted to run on liquefied petroleum gas, according to the British royal website, and the fabulous Stephen Fry. We caught up with the busy Mr Fry a couple of weeks ago and asked him exactly what he loves about the humble Hackney Carriage. “My black cab is my second home. It makes me happy. Zooming about London at its wheel makes me feel a prince of the city. I belong. Hurrah for my li’l black cab.” It seemed that just the smallest suggestion of the iconic, dinky, Taxi must have put the side-splittingly gifted Mr Fry in a comical mood as he proceeded to tell a joke. To get the full effect please read all of SF’s lines in Dick Van Dyke’s counterfeit cockney accent:
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The London Taxi was originally approved by Parliament in 1654, to remedy what was described as the “many Inconveniences
that arise by reason of the late increase and great irregularity of Hackney Coaches and Hackney Coachmen in London. It seems nothing has changed much since 1654 and we still ever waiting for late and ill-conceived transport (don’t get me started on the bendy bus!).
DECEMBER 2009
ow, I am not just saying that I love the London Taxi because I am a proud Londoner or because I feel obligated to write about it given that this is a “London Only” publication. I am saying that I love the good old Black Cab because it makes me feel at home. It gives me an inner sense of warmth that when I see it, in its many varieties followed closely by a big red bus, gives me the sort of feeling you don’t get in other cities with their odd coloured busses and “Local Cab Firms” (for local people). The other day I was strolling aimlessly (as I generally do) down by the Embankment. I noticed a Black Cab pull up and then be instantly swamped by about 20 American tourists who seems to take endless photographs of this seemingly ordinary event. I had to stop and ask a rather uncanny looking middle-aged woman, dressed from head to toe in Nike wear (see our style section if you think this is a good idea) and ask why they were so obsessed with the Taxi. “You don’t see this anywhere else in the world, it’s so quaint”, she answered, slightly puzzled by my asking why she was taking several hundred photos of it. Well, if you think that it is quaint or not, it is an icon that has been with us for hundreds of years.
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Image by Johnny Boylan
SF “Knock knock” LB “Who’s there?” SF “M.A.B. it’s a big horse.”
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LB “M.A.B. it’s a big horse who?”
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SF “M.A.B. it’s a big horse I’m a Londoner, that I love London so...” I guess that the classic London Cab in its many forms, which has graced our street for more years than we can remember, will always be an inherent part of London
which we must preserve. During Mr Livingstone’s first election campaign he said that “Only a de-humanised moron would get rid of the Routemaster”. The Routemaster was then officially withdrawn from general service on December 9th 2005. Despite the near extinction of the Routemaster bus, of which we have kindly been left just two routes, we still have our beloved Black Cab. The rest of the world may plagiarise, though they will always flock to see the original, an original which has been part of our London for hundreds of years and will continue to be part of our London for hundreds more. LB
LONDON BUSINESS
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Starting a Business? Are you a budding entrepreneur with a great invention that you think will be next year’s top seller? Have you got an idea for a great new business but no funds to start you up? Do you want to start a business but don’t know where to start?
CAROLYN CLAYTON
DECEMBER 2009
First things to think about are whether there is a demand for your product or services. The way to find this out is to do some research. Have a look and see if there are any other companies offering
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f the answer is yes to any of these questions then there are some important things to think about and people and companies that can help you.
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LONDON BUSINESS
the same service or products. If you are offering a service that is local, then you need to see what competitors you have and how you can go about becoming more successful than the already established businesses. If your area of business is highly competitive then you will need a good business plan to make your business more desirable to possible clients and more competitive. It might be worth talking to some businesses that have experience within your subject area. It would be wise to listen to them as they should offer good advice.
invented a unique product. She won a number of awards, and was tipped to being a millionaire. She went on a number of television shows and the local press interviewed her and it all looked very prosperous. She borrowed thousands of pounds and set her business up ready to concur the world. Unfortunately within 3 years the business failed and she went bankrupt. Had she followed advice from professionals and involved a business angel which could have helped her create a realistic business plan and strategy she may well have been the millionaire that was expected.
Finance is another big issue. Have you got the finance needed? All businesses that are starting up need an injection of cash. You could get yourself a loan, but loan companies can be sharks and you have to be very careful. There are companies that offer loans for start-up businesses which have a smaller interest rate which might be more appropriate.
So my advice is simple, get professional advice, listen and believe what they are telling you. Use a business angel or professional organisation which will cover every aspect of starting a small business up.
There are other issues like Tax, National Insurance and VAT. It can all get a bit confusing and stressful. If you’re new to business then all of these aspects could be rather overwhelming. So what can you do? You could research into all these areas, spend hours on the phone talking to different organisations or you could get in touch with a company that specialise in helping businesses to start up. Business angels or business consultants are probably the best way to get all the help you need. A good company will offer you good advice and set you off in the right direction. Many companies have investors and people with a lot of money that might be willing to invest in your company. Going it alone is wrong. A friend of mine went to university and in her final year
LB
HISTORY
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One In A Million That’s london for you
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ne in a million, that’s London for you. This defence of London is not meant as some feeble attempt to try to curry favour in certain quarters. Bad times and good, I have lived and worked in London through them all. From its darkest hours in the 1970s and
If we use as an example, the changing of the guard. Betty and Phil insist that this happens daily at their place at the end of the mall. Perhaps I should be slightly more serious at this point because most
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The memory still haunts me of travelling through London returning to where I now live in Northern Ireland hours after the news broke of the tragic and untimely
There is History almost round every corner in London. History that it would appear that most Londoners take for granted.
DECEMBER 2009
the 80s at the height of the IRA terrorist campaigns to the ecstasy of winning the 2012 Olympics and the Queens Jubilee. London has had the experience and gravity to treat both with equal respect.
death of Princess Diana. The sense of grief and shock were overwhelming as total strangers just blindly made their way to Kensington Palace to lay flowers at the people’s memorial. Contrast this with the day in 2005 of the Live 8 festival at Hyde Park when the city resounded to rock music belting out across its entire centre.
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HISTORY
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onlookers will realize this point I am of course referring to Buckingham Palace and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. Perhaps the most notable of the Changing of the Guards in recent years was held shortly after the awful events of 911 when instead of playing God Save the Queen the band of the Guards performed what turned out to be quite an emotional performance (certainly for those visiting American tourists in the audience) of the Star Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States of America.
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heart of such a modern and a bustling city of London really sums up the overall appeal of London where there is such an amazing and historic blend of old and new. You have absolutely no chance of being disappointed when you come to visit London. LB
If you are interested in London history why not get yourself down tothe Museum of London where you can see some fantastic exhibits of
Perhaps the significance of this passed most of the on looking tourist by but it was a first in living memory that any other national anthem other than the United Kingdoms own God Save the Queen had been performed at the Changing of the Guards ceremony.
times gone by.
It could be argued that it is incidents like this that go to sum up exactly what a rich variety of tradition and history exists in London. Unlike other major international capital cities, London may lack perhaps the historic grandeur of the Parthenon in Athens or the Coliseum in Rome but throughout London you will find examples of perhaps a more modern architecture (though no less splendid and impressive) such as the mother of all parliaments, the Houses of Parliament in Westminster or the serenity of St Paul’s Cathedral a survivor of many centuries and in many ways every bit as impressive now as in the days of its design under the architect Sir Christopher Wren.
tel: 020 7001 984
If nothing else the building of St Paul’s Cathedral is a testament to survival itself having both survived the Great Fire of London in the 16th Century and then four hundred years later the Blitz in World War II. Possibly the existence of living history such as St. Paul’s Cathedral in the
Museum of London 150 London Wall London EC2Y 5HN
Monday to Sunday: 10am-6pm Last admission: 5.30pm Closed: 24 to 26 December FREE admission to Museum of London www.museumoflondon.org.uk
LIFESTYLEbug
Smooth Operator Events Planner Ricardo Jacques on planning a large event Planning Once an event is confirmed it is a case of ordering all the equipment needed, crockery, cutlery, tables, chairs, linen etc. All the drinks are ordered to arrive at base the day before the event. Initial Setup The initial setup is usually done by the Back of House staff and the event managers. Staff and chefs arrive at this time and the head chef and event manager briefs them on what is happening from setup to how the event will run.
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Final Setup All the staff and chefs arrive to get bars, dinner tables and move all that is needed in to place.
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For a reception followed by a 3 course it will take no longer than 1:30. Event Before guests arrive there will be one smaller briefing to point out any changes that might have happened. Guest numbers can change, they can be running late, the client can even make a last minute change in the plan Break down By the time dinner is over most things will have been loaded and the last things to go are the tables and chairs. Usually it takes 30 mins from the time the guests leave to have everything out and packed. All floors are swept and mopped leaving the venue looking as if nothing at all had happened.
JASON’S STRESS TEST
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Conquer Stress Ahead Of The Festive Season Plus Reader Offer – Free Stress Test
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orking hard – and playing hard – at this time of year can take its toll and juggling up Christmas parties and drinks with the pressures of work can bring stress like never before. So much so that the Britain under Pressure report from Friends Provident, published in the middle of last year, claimed 61 per cent of employees say they are suffering increased stress levels compared to three years ago. Enter Central Health, a fantastic innovative company with many health strings to their bow.
Stress is now the highest cause of absence from work. It also has clear links with many medical and mental health conditions. Stress in excess, with no recovery, is likely to lead to poor
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To get a better idea of exactly how the service works we sent the most stressed
The software inserted in the measurement belt shows you how your body and mind lives and copes with your life, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. Jason’s usual daily exercise routine is rather limited consisting of a walk from the office to the pub after work and then back from the pub to the tube station. This said, Jason looks healthy enough, but given his relatively stressful job and low level of apparent fitness we thought it would be interesting to see how he would do.
DECEMBER 2009
Central Health’s latest services use innovative technology to help you understand more about your stress levels and how carefully planned and managed lifestyle changes can give significant health benefits. The technology interprets your data and translates the readings into objective reports relating to stress, exercise, physica workload and recovery. What takes this assessment to the next level is the introduction of a time line which allows you to understand how your body is reacting to your every day life. Matching your physiology with your actions can provide a fascinating insight into how your body is coping and takes the guess work away.
staff member of The London Bug Team to check it out - Jason, a 25 year old Advertising Sales Representative volunteered. The test, usually costing £250, includes wearing a neatly fitting and non-cumbersome chest belt.
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JASON’S STRESS TEST
performance at work and at play and poor health. However, achieving balance and ensuring that you have strategies in place that allow your body to recover should allow you to perform optimally. With this in mind Jason went to the Central Health HQ in Chancery Lane to get himself fitted. He met Health & Wellness specialist Natalie Alcock “It took her about 1 minute to fit the belt and it didn’t feel uncomfortable at all”. Jason then had the whole process explained to him and was kitted out with a diary to record key events of the next 24 hours. The next morning, we were all curious to see exactly what this clever little device looked like and were quite shocked at just how unobtrusive it actually was.
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Later that afternoon Jason returned to the Central Health HQ in Chancery Lane to get his result. The graphs did
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not make a vast amount of sense to us, but all was clearly explained by Natalie. “Jason is a young Londoner with a healthy BMI of 22.1 and appears to be relatively healthy, with a good recovery rate.” Jason’s 24hour reports revealed a balanced amount of stress and recovery and shows that his body is coping physiologically with the amount of stress that he experiences on a day to day basis. Jason displayed great capacity to relax away from work and was able to ‘switch
off’ from the stresses and worries of his demanding job. Jason commutes to work by train every day, and even experienced good levels of rest and relaxation during these periods – he obviously wasn’t stuck in an underground tunnel for 30 minutes! Jason was able to achieve over 7 hours of quality sleep with relaxation occurring during 89% of his sleep period which is excellent, even though he spent 3 hours in the pub before hand! However, Jason’s minimum heart rate was only 60 bpm during an overnight reading and some of the more complex data that looks at the variations in heart rate were not optimal for an apparently healthy young male. This could be as a result of his trip to the pub or it could indicate that his physical fitness level is low and he needs to step up his exercise routine. The amount of physical activity that Jason participated in on the day of the test was indeed very low, with only 10 minutes being achieved out of the recommended 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity. He would definitely be advised to increase the amount of physical activity that he engages in on a day to day basis. This will help to maintain and even improve his health and professional performance in the long term. Natalie says: ‘We would recommend to investigate this further and monitor him over a few days. And we would definitely suggest Jason visits Central Health’s new Performance and Wellbeing Centre in Charterhouse Street in the City!” Stress is not a completely negative phenomenon, some stress belongs to normal life and in the short term can even improve performance. When there is not enough recovery and the balance
HEALTH between stress and recovery is not maintained, stress can become harmful. Most importantly the more individuals and organisations understand about this topic and how to incorporate positive strategies then maybe we will be able to start conquering that intangible concept that is ‘stress’. If you are interested in taking a Central Health stress test, Central Health
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have kindly agreed to offer five of our readers a free test worth £275. All you need to do is send an email telling us why you think you need a stress test to offers@thelondonbug.co.uk.* Go to www.central-health.com for more information. LB
*Terms and conditions apply, offer subject to availability. Winners will be selected by December 18th 2009 and informed by email.
Why Londoners Should Swap Cappuccino For Green Tea LESLEY LYON
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be used for cooking. The leftover leaves can be used as manure for garden plants to grow better. The ingredient present in green tea is polyphenol. It is the most effective antioxidant. It is present in higher amounts in green tea than in black tea. The basic difference between green tea and other teas like oolong and black tea is that while the latter comes from the leaves of camellia simens plant, green tea is processed in a different way. Green tea leaves are steamed which prevents the EGCG, a power antioxidant, from being oxidized. In contrast, black and oolong leaves are made from fermented leaves and so EGCG is converted into other compounds, which are effective in preventing and fighting various diseases. Clinical trials indicate that green tea raises metabolic rates and speeds up fat
DECEMBER 2009
reen tea is believed to be in use as a medicine for at least 4000 years in china. It is also believed that green tea lowers the cholesterol levels by increasing the good cholesterol and decreasing the bad cholesterol. Green tea is rich in antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) .It destroys cancer cells and also inhibits the growth of cancer cells. Even though the French people consume diet rich in fat, they are less prone to heart attack than the Americans. Similarly, even though 75 percent of the Japanese are smokers, they are less affected. This is because EGCG is more in green tea used by them. It acts as a protective agent against premature death from heart attack and cancer. Green tea also destroys bacteria thus preventing tooth decay. Researchers have also found that green tea even helps dieters. The leaves of green tea can also
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HEALTH
oxidation. Green tea also raises thermo genesis (the rate at which calories are burnt) and hence increases energy expenditure. Green tea also increases endurance in exercise. Drinking green tea has a whole lot of benefits like fighting against cancer, stabilizing diabetes, helping in weight loss, slowing the ageing process and helping digestion. Green tea also enhances immunity in our body. About four cups of green tea each day provides 300 to 400 mg of polyphenols, which help in antioxidant activity. These antioxidants help in slowing diseases. A research Institute in Tokyo found that drinking green tea is the best method to prevent cancer at present. All types of cancer like stomach, lungs, breast, liver, colon and rectal can be prevented by green tea. Green tea prevents cholesterol from being absorbed by the digestive tract. This in effect means that even if the fat is taken, the body does not absorb it. Green tea also helps in preventing unhealthy clotting. Rinsing the mouth with green tea after meals helps in fighting bacteria and thus prevents cavities. One cup of tea with each meal acts as a metabolic stimulant. This helps in weight loss. The caffeine in the tea burns extra calories in the body and fat is digested by polyphenols. A recent study stated that EGCG found in green tea could help to boost one’s immune system thereby helping to prevent HIV. And to top it all, green tea probably is the only substance in the world with so many medicinal values and without a single side effect! LB
For a vast selection of teas and tea advice visit the UKs largest online tea shop on
www.teaworld.co.uk Phone: 01707 872 720
HEALTH
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Top Ten Techniques for Relaxation Bliss! COLIN GARY SMITH
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s you know relaxation has many benefits for our body and mind. Relaxing helps to reduce stress and allows the good chemicals to flow more in the mind giving access to more clarity, creatively and resourcefulness. Below then are ten techniques for relaxation bliss: 1. PART OF YOU IS RELAXED NOW... • Close your eyes and become aware of where the most relaxed part of your body is? • Imagine spreading this feeling throughout your body, from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. • Enjoy cycling through these relaxing feelings by starting again at step 1
down even more.
• Do this a few times until it’s really slow and notice how you feel more relaxed!
3. RE-ACCESS RELAXATION Have you ever felt relaxed or at least at ease, maybe it was on a beach or in a beautiful woodland. • Re-access the peaceful state by remembering what you saw, what you heard and smelt and allow those relaxing feelings to arise again. • Just sit with those pleasant feelings for a few minutes, that’s right.
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4. RELAXING MUSIC • Where do you want to be more relaxed? Notice what you see and hear just before you would want to feel a wave of relaxation. eg) The office door • If I were to ask you what some of your favourite relaxing music was what would it be? • Hear that relaxing music nice and clear inside your mind and allow those pleasant feelings to arise. • Now think of the trigger you choose in Step A and while hearing the music in your mind,
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2. SLOW DOWN THE INTERNAL VOICE We often stress ourselves with internal critical voices. A simple and effective way to reduce the suffering caused by inner voices is to slow them down. • Pick one of those critical internal voices that annoy you from time to time. • Notice it’s location in space and what it says to you. • Now hear what it says again except this time slow it’s delivery down. Way down.
• Repeat the sentence and slow it
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•
HEALTH imagine walking into the situation. Do this a few times to ‘wire it in’ and you could even do this on a few other situations where relaxation would be useful.
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5. SPINNING THE MOVIE BACKWARDS Our peace of mind can get disturbed by memories. Here is an excellent technique that enables us to neutralise negative emotions associated with troublesome memories. • Remember an occasion where you got annoyed. Maybe somebody made a remark that upset you a bit. • Imagine re-viewing it from beginning to end. Freezeframe it at the end. • Pick some funny music. Cartoon? Circus music? • Now reverse the movie: That is play it backwards from the end to the beginning with the funny music playing. When you play the movie backwards make it so it’s faster than normal reality because it adds to the humour!
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6. A WALK IN NATURE This one’s a simple and completely time-tested gold nugget. Get yourself out into nature. It may just be a park in the City with some trees. Observe nature. The sounds, the smells. Become curious at the wonder of it all. Is it possible to be aware of all your senses at once? 7. SHAPESHIFT INTO THE WIND • Step outside and become aware
of the wind.
• As you notice it’s presence
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and shifting patterns, allow yourself to ‘shapeshift’ into the wind. Simply imagine you have become one with the wind. Close your eyes and indulge yourself in this moment now.
8. IMAGINING YOUR MORE RELAXED SELF • If you were more relaxed now what would you look like out there in front. It’s OK if this you is only 5% more relaxed because this is about going in a relaxing direction isn’t it? • Notice what you look like, your posture, your breathing, your facial expression. • Now imagine stepping into that more relaxed you. • Repeat from step 1. 9. HAKALAU This a really interesting technique that comes from Hawaiian Shamanism, Huna. • Look out in front of you at a 20 degree angle upwards. Become aware of objects/ movements in the horizontal part of your peripheral vision. • Become aware of objects/ movements in the vertical part of your peripheral vision. (eg your shoes and the sky.) • As you notice more and more of your peripheral vision allow it to spread out and around you so that you can imagine what is behind you too. • Now you can do this with your other senses. Spread your hearing out and around
HEALTH
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and then do the same with your kinaesthetics. • Stay in this state for several minutes and you will become very relaxed. This technique switches on your parasympathetic nervous system. Try closing your eyes and doing it! 10. SIMPLE BREATHING MEDITATION Meditating on the breath is probably the most widely used and ancient of practices for relaxing the mind. It’s very effective. • Sit down with your back straight. • Close your eyes and simply breath through your nostrils and out through your mouth. • Just observe the breath going in and out. • Try pausing for a second before the out breath, focussing on the heart centre. Repeat for 10 minutes or more if you can! LB
DECEMBER 2009
When you practice techniques like the ones above and you find yourself gaining benefit, it will encourage you to develop a habit of relaxation. The more you practice, the more you’ll enjoy becoming a relaxed person.
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LOVE
2nd Date Hoohah 30-F-LONDON
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his week I have been the recipient and sender of saucy texts and emails. I went out with a banker about a month ago, had a great date, then he was away, he got back to sunny London on Monday and it’s been go go go. Note to self: Always be wary of saucy correspondence before actually having sex or at least a smidgen of heavy petting. This afternoon consisted of (for me at least): Defuzzing all the important areas, a long soak in the bath, a super luxurious hair conditioning thingymajig and some new underwear and lipstick shopping. I was uber-excited about the date. I looked the right amount of polished without seeming that I had in fact spent hours in preparation. The first date ended with thirty minutes of hard-core snogging and I stopped myself from going back to his because, yes, I used these words, “I’m not that kind of girl*”Tonight, I get to the bar a couple of minutes late, a little out of breath (you try walking briskly in five inch heels) and then it happened, he went to kiss me and I gave him my cheek, I realise
in horror that I don’t fancy him. A aarrrrrrggggggggggggggggggg ghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!All of my recollections of him were after at least one (at least three) bottle of wine had been consumed. I quickly took a sip of the very expensive wine he has already ordered, I smiled and laughed politely at his stories and jokes, but internally began to panic. How had I fantasised about this man? He kept stroking my leg and cheek, and with all my strength held back from shouting for him to get his hands off me.It seems I am a tease. But a very unintentional one. As we drink more, he starts to look cuter and his sexual innuendoes are nearly working but not enough. After dinner - we split the bill - I suggest to call it a night. A quick kiss on the cheek and I am in a taxi. Alone.It took me over four hours to get ready for a ninety minute dinner. If my sex life continues like this, my hymen might just grow back LB
*Who am I kidding with this line - however sometimes I like to create an illusion of respectability.
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10 Ways To Impress Your Man SARAH NICHOLS
DECEMBER 2009
the london bug
Everyone wants first impressions to last. We groom ourselves and develop qualities. In case you are wondering how to impress a guy, it revolves around these things namely – appearance and traits. But there are 10 ways in which you could impress your man.
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LIFESTYLEbug LIFESTYLEbug
LOVE
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Smile: Remember that a smile
Be confident:
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can melt his heart.
Confidence is always at the top of the list because men likes that their women value themselves.
Be fun-loving:
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Twirl your hair and talk to him in a casual fun manner. Guys appreciate women who know how to have fun.
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Act like you’re flirting: You’re not
really flirting but you’re just trying to make a connection.
Don’t be shy: If you are interested
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in him, don’t be ashamed of making the first move. When done correctly, your guy will appreciate it.
Give your compliments:
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Be casual when giving out your compliment to him. Men always like to be flattered.
Wear perfume:
Look at him but don’t stare:
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Hold his gaze while smiling for about two seconds but no more so that both of you will not feel awkward.
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Guys always love nice sweet smelling scent in girls. It adds in the attraction. This is definitely one of the ways on how to impress a guy.
Ask an openended question:
Communicate:
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Open up a conversation with him about a subject that is general and interesting.
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When you ask a question to him, make sure that it is not answerable with yes or no. Open-ended questions will make him explain his stand and keep the conversation going further.
How to impress a guy is simple. All you have to do is to go out and enjoy his company while retaining who you are in the process.
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Tranquillity Within An Hour Of London
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o, you have just about managed to take some holiday time off of work and now you are contemplating Christmas with the family. Getting away from it all can be vastly expensive plus you traditionally spend Christmas with family, even though its not always as fun and cosy as it sounds. Sometimes a pre or post Christmas getaway can be just what the doctor ordered, being pampered and switching that irritating mobile phone off. There is also of course, that classic annual peculiar little week in between Christmas and New Year where modern day civilisation seems to transmogrify into pyjama wearing, turkey sandwich eating, “what day is it today?” jabbering Neanderthals, stretched out on our couches watching endless repeats of Only Fools and Horses and The Sound of Music. Well, if getting away over the holiday season sounds like a good idea, but you are worried about finances, carbon
foot prints, long distance travelling and a whole host of other modern day joy inhibitors. Why not consider a short break just outside of London? There are plenty of places within just one hour of London which offer peace and tranquillity in abundance. Norton Park enjoys an idyllic setting in 54 acres of Hampshire countryside and yet is within 10 minutes of the M3 and just one hour by train from Waterloo. Enhanced by lakes and manicured gardens Norton Park offers tranquillity, calm and an inspirational outdoor lifestyle. The hotel is ideally situated for exploring Hampshire with the historic city of Winchester just a short distance away and the coastal cities of Southampton and Portsmouth as well as the New Forest within easy reach.
LB
the london bug
Additionally there are 13 individual bedrooms available in the delightful 16th Century Manor House for those special occasions. The 16th Century Manor House at Norton Park can also be hired for exclusive use.
DECEMBER 2009
The hotel is furnished in contemporary, clean style with top-end fittings. They also have fantastic leisure facilities including pool, aroma steam room, mood lit sauna, ice fountain, heated loungers, air conditioned gym and three spa treatment rooms. The stylish “Scene Restaurant” offers dining in sophisticated surroundings and a range of alfresco dining options are available.
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Culturebug
WINE
Wine As A Gift This Christmas FIONA MULLER
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the london bug DECEMBER 2009
uying wine as a present has never been easier. Many wine merchants offer an online service and you can have your bottle (or bottles) of wine delivered in a silk-lined wooden box to friends, family or colleagues. Some even do personalised bottle labels. You can find a wide choice of high quality wines to suit every budget and there are also some great bargains on cases of wine where the price per bottle can often compete
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very favourably with supermarket prices. From a rich fruity Spanish Tempranillo or a full-bodied velvety Australian Shiraz to classic Chardonnays and fresh Romanian and Hungarian whites there is something for everyone. All you have to do is choose your wine.If you want to play it safe then you can’t go wrong with classic French wines. Go for red wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhone. These wines have a longer drinking window (usually
WINE 5 to 10 years plus) and are therefore suitable for laying down. Claret, a dry red wine produced in the Bordeaux region, is a particularly good option. These would make an ideal gift for someone with a wine cellar or who is thinking about creating a wine cellar. Or just anyone who simply enjoys the finer things in life. For white wines, go for established classics like Chablis or White Burgundy.You can also go for a good all-round versatile wine that everyone can enjoy. Choose crisp dry white wines such as Pinot Grigio, unoaked Chardonnay or a Sauvignon Blanc. Chablis and Sancerre are also good options. For versatile red wines opt for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz. You could also choose a soft and fruity wine like a Beaujolais or a young Rioja
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(recently re-labelled with a brighter, more modern logo to appeal to the younger market).If you want to give someone a bottle of something more fun and festive, then sparkling is the way to go. Champagne always makes a good wine gift and is ideal for special occasions. If you can’t afford champagne, there are many decent sparkling wines around, in particular from New World countries like Australia. Prosecco is one sparkling wine that has seen a recent increase in popularity, mainly due to it’s similarity to champagne. Grown in the Veneto region of Italy the grapes are ripened late to produce a very dry sparkling white wine. Look out for organic varieties full of fresh citrus flavours. LB
DECEMBER 2009
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Culturebug
FOOD
Baltic BRAD GREEN
the london bug DECEMBER 2009
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aving spent much time travelling (on business) around Latvia, Poland and Russia and sampling the many culinary delights that Eastern Europe and the Baltic states have to offer, I was very keen to try the much acclaimed “Baltic” in London’s SE1. Baltic is a restaurant and bar which prides itself on offering Eastern European cuisine with the presentation of a top London restaurant. On entering Baltic through a giant wooden door you are immediately confronted with a warm and stylish bar which boasts a selection of fine Vodkas which with even the greatest will in the world one could not attempt to get through. Being 10 minutes early for our table and desperately wanting to sample the drinks at this stylishly elegant bar, I asked the barman to make me whatever he thought I should have. The result was an uber strong Vodka Martini with a sunken, decorative, thinly sliced lemon peel. Although extremely strong it was packed with flavour, freshness and the refinement you get from clean, genuine Vodka. While being shown to our seats I was struck by the intimacy of the restaurant. Despite its stark white walls and high ceilings, its candle lit warmth and proximity of the tables made it seem the perfect place for either a romantic night out, or a night out with friends. As we sat at the crisply laid table I was suitably impressed by a great selection of hand-cut Baltic breads, of which the black-bread was truly superb! We selected our starters and mains from a comprehensive and considerable menu
on which even the fussiest diner would be able to find something to their taste. To start, my dining partner had the Baby Beetroot Salad with Watercress, Walnuts and Creme Fraiche which was clean, fragrant and flavoursome. I had the Siberian Pelmeni which are small Veal and Pork Dumplings. This dish was full of rustic charm perfect for coming in out the cold Siberian weather, which sadly isn’t dissimilar to the London weather at the moment. I could have easily eaten this dish ten times, full of flavour, cooked to perfection, perfectly seasoned and defiantly one of the best starters I have had in many, many years. To accompany the starters I greedily ordered the Potato Latkas which were served with Creme Fraiche. At this point honesty would prevail and I would feel inclined to say that they were over-seasoned, but my internal hypocrisy indicator obligates me to point out that I was unable to stop myself finishing all of them singlehandily, as they were delicious (although over-seasoned). It is at this point which I ordered a Baltic Spring Punch from the comprehensive and innovative drinks menu. I actually had intended to order a Baltic Breeze which is lemon vodka, elderflower cordial and pressed apple juice, but the large, 40% proof, Vodka Martini had hit my empty stomach before the starter and I ordered the wrong cocktail in error. Nonetheless, to keep all our readers happy I decided to drink even more, despite my order being in error. I actually found the rose
FOOD bugCulture
flavoured Baltic Spring Punch odd in taste and far too sweet, though my dining partner (female) said, and quote: “This is the best cocktail I have ever had and if I weren’t driving, I would order a pitcher to myself”. A drink then, I must conclude, intended for Venus and not Mars.
are fantastically friendly, knowledgeable and laid back and the atmosphere of the restaurant is contemporary yet inviting. I would highly recommend going there and sampling the excellent selection of drinks at their stylish bar and moving to the restaurant for a meal with all the flavours of Eastern Europe and all the style of a top London restaurant. LB
For the mains, my now rose scented dining companion ordered Haunch of Venison with Honey, Roast Pear and Sour Cherry Sauce. The Venison was cooked to melt-in-the-mouth perfection and the contrast of the roast pear with sour cherry sauce was excellent. I ordered the Zrazry which is a rolled rump steak filled with gherkins, bacon and mushroom. The dish was plentiful, tender and full of smokey Baltic flavours. Possibly not the most elegant dish on the menu, neither the most well presented, but full of flavour, warmth and bucolic Baltic allure.
Average Main Price: £15 Average Dessert Price: £5.50 74 Blackfriars Rd London, SE1 8HA T: 020 79281111 W: www.balticrestaurant.co.uk
the london bug
All in all Baltic scores very highly for me and the small things I would change are reasonably insignificant. The staff
Average Starter Price: £6
DECEMBER 2009
For dessert I ordered the Caramelised Pear with Chocolate mousse. The pear was perfectly cooked and full of caramelised sweetness. The chocolate mousse was divine though in far too smaller quantity to fully begin to appreciate it. My dining partner ordered the White Chocolate and Vanilla Cheesecake which was rich, creamy and all things a great cheesecake should be.
Our Rating: 8.5/10
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ART
Finding Fine Art RICKY LIM
the london bug DECEMBER 2009
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owadays, there are many art auction houses available online such as Sotheby and eBay. However, before attempting to bid for a fine art auction, there are some points you need to take note especially if you are a beginner to art auctions. If you are new to fine art auctions, you might first decide what it is you like to collect. Is it abstract art, oil-based
visitors to research on their favourite art category. The other way is to browse the various art magazines, books, periodicals. You could go to your local bookstore, amazon or even the local library. Visit a few fine art auction houses and get a feel for the type of art you are interested in. Art Auction houses will usually provide detailed information on the art piece being auctioned. How Do I
painting, impression art etc? You also might want to read up on the art category that you prefer to buy. Take for example, you are into abstract art. It would help you in your art auctions if you knew more about abstract art history and the various abstract art movements. The best way to start would be on the internet. One such site is www.artsconnected.org. They provide comprehensive search tools for
Know The Piece I Like Is Real? Ok, so you finally found an art piece you like. The next question you are probably asking is how do I know it is authentic? Since the value of an art piece is subjective depending on the person looking at it, it would be best if you can afford it to get a professional art appraiser to value the art piece. For large fine art auction houses such as Sotheby, you can be assured that
ART the art piece is already appraised and is authentic. However, if you are looking for an art piece at smaller auction houses or online art auctions such as ebay, you do need to be extra careful. Particularly so for online art auctions where there are many fake art pieces being auctioned. If you like a fine art being auctioned
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online, the best way if possible would be to communicate with the art seller before buying. Online art auctions usually keep a track record of the art seller’s sales history and can help you to determine whether the seller is a reputable person. LB
The English Renaissance Period The Impacts and Influences on Culture
RAJESH
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the london bug
like Sir Thomas More and Sir Francis Bacon. Some produced works which explained the English Christian beliefs; some represented English thought on life and death and also covered the glorious history of London; and some printed their works on their ideas on humanity and on Utopian society. Renaissance also had great impact on the music. From renowned ballads to church songs and sophisticated court music, many inventive steps were taken and the music during the Renaissance period had become varied and more delightful. The comedy and tragedy plays used music to make it livelier. A new school of music also developed in this period which was known as the English Madrigal School. The English Madrigal was either copies of Italian musical works or their direct translations. Mostly in three to six voices, the English madrigals were light in style. Renaissance also influenced the
DECEMBER 2009
ondon experienced a cultural and artistic movement in between early 16th and early 17th century which is known as the English Renaissance Period. The English Renaissance was much influenced by the pan-European Renaissance which is said to have originated in the 14th century in Northern Italy. Often known as the “age of the Shakespeare” or “the Elizabethan era,” the English Renaissance created stimulation in art, architecture, literature and music of whole of England. The transition in England was accepted with reluctance and it was rather a medley of the forgotten Gothic and the naïve Renaissance. No field in England was untouched by the revolution caused by Renaissance. The English literature was marked by the works of poets like Edmund Spenser and John Milton, playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe and philosophers
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ART
architectural style of that period. Emphasis was laid upon symmetry, proportion, geometry and on maintaining the regularity in the architecture. Inigo Jones is credited for propounding Renaissance architecture in England. He had studied architecture in Italy, the country influenced by the Andrea Palladio who transformed the architectural style of both palaces and churches. He designed great buildings such as the Queen’s House at Greenwich and the Banqueting House at Whitehall. Even the style of making furniture was influenced by Renaissance. It cannot be denied that England was much influenced by the Italian style of art and architecture. Though Oak wood was used to make furniture but now apple, pear, chestnut, walnut, holly and pine were also used to improve the quality of the furniture. Earlier
the ornate-furniture was only limited to the churches and ecclesiastical houses. With the improvement in the position of the citizen, English people also beautified their home with magnificent furniture. However, many historians argue that English Renaissance was nothing but just a transition towards a modern world. They contend that English Renaissance does not level with the artistic achievements and aims similar to their Italian counterparts. The English literature had been seeing its growth since the time of Geoffrey Chaucer. Nevertheless, most of the historians still are of the opinion that there was an artistic flowering in London and other regions of England in the period between early 16th and early 17th century. LB
The Shawshank Redemption the london bug DECEMBER 2009
Stevey Paris say’s - 5 star Until Feb 14 2010 Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0DA
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One of the most popular films ever made by made Steven King has finally made its way onto the centre stage! With a line up of nineteen men, it’s a story about honesty, trust, endurance and friendship. It is captivating with splashes of humour to keep you suitably entertained. It has, quite shockingly, not been turned into a musical by the writer’s Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns. With a perfect set and acting to go with it, it’s by far one of the best nonmusical theatre productions I have seen. Times Tue-Thur, Sat 7.30pm; Fri 5.30pm and 8.30pm; Sat Mat 3pm; Sun Mat 4pm Prices £10-£49.50. Runs 2hrs 20mins
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Anish Kapoor Stevey Paris say’s - 5 star Until Fri Dec 11 2009 Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London, W1J OBD Only running until 11th December, this is an exhibition that is not to be missed! With its bright colours, seductive shapes and breathtaking sculptures, contemporary artist Anish Kapoor has managed to brilliantly wreck the Royal Academy. With sculptures old and new installed everywhere, it’s hard not to think that the place is in disarray. Disarray though full of creativity, fearlessness and imagination. The exhibition takes you on an epic journey through Kapoor’s influences and fearless mind giving inspiration and ambition to those around him. Kapoor is my most favoured 3D artist’s and going by this exhibition, my views have certainly not changed! Prices £12; £10 disabled and 60+; £8 NUS/ISIC; £4 12-18 year-olds and income support; £3 8-11 year-olds; under-7s free
Turner Prize 2009 Stevey Paris Say’s - 3 star Until Jan 3 2010 Tate Britain, Millbank, London, SW1P 4RG
the london bug
Times Daily 10am-5.50pm Prices £8, £6 concs
DECEMBER 2009
This is an exhibition which shocked me just as much as it did the rest of the media world, by not including video art! Marking its 25th anniversary, you would have thought that media would have been involved in some way as it is a contemporary art form which most people engage with daily. With competitive art work from Lucy Skaer, Richard Wright, Enrico David and Roger Hiorns it’s a visual experience that’s beyond simplicity yet very intriguing. With four different forms and concepts of art it’s quite hard to pick a winner, personally i still can’t make up my mind, definitely an exhibition that is worth seeing.
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Culturebug
ART
Fashion Revolution Stevey Paris say’s - 4 star Until Sun Dec 20 2009 SHOWStudio: Somerset House, The Strand, London, WC2R 1LA This is an exhibition full of fashion media! Based on Brit photographer Nick Knight’s www.showstudio.com website where fans have downloaded Alexander McQueen’s dressmaking patterns and styled the likes of model Liberty Ross live, it shows how the company has grown through the years. Starting with mirrored hall ways and a 60-foot-tall 3D image of Naomi Campbell where you can graffiti her giant body by digital projection, a feature I found greatly amusing. The exhibition also displays the early works of fashion shoots, prints, interactive gadgetry, video and music. A very technical and interesting fashion inspired exhibition that keeps your attention throughout! Definitely a must-see if you are interested in fashion and mixed media. Times Daily 10am-6pm, until 9pm Thur, Fri (last admission 8.30pm) Prices £5, concs £4, under-12s free
Breakfast at Tiffany’s Stevey Paris say’s - 3 star
the london bug DECEMBER 2009
Until Jan 9 2010 Haymarket Theatre Royal, 18 Suffolk St, SW1Y 4HT
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Anna Friel takes the stage by storm in this great stage adaptation of Truman Capote’s novel. Breakfast at Tiffany’s is known for its fashionable Audrey Hepburn and New York cosmopiltan love life, only in this production the stage looks cheap and is lacking hugely in imagination. This cause’s a huge distraction from the fantastic acting skills which the cast supply, especially when Friel (embarrassingly) gallops across 5th avenue on a pretend horse... something which i was not expecting to see in such a hugely famous novel. Once overlooking the badly designed set, a magical story of love, life and fashion come alive with a cast which keeps your attention from beginning to end.A classic which is worth investigating! Times Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed, Sat Mats 2.30pm Prices £15-£49.50. Runs 2hrs. Booking to Jan 9 2010
Fashionbug
Fashion Editor’s Blog STEVEY PARIS Dear Style-seekers, The new trends for Spring/Summer 2010 are set! I may now be wrapped up in countless layers, daring to bare only a little of my legs to the freezing December weather, but at least I can begin to dream about the fabulous styles to come in the next Summer season. Beautiful prints from Alexander McQueen and playful cubism from Jasper Garvida, leave us finding it hard not to have fun with our new stylish outfits. Also on offer are some clean cut tailored garments with beautiful draping, pastel coloured soft fabrics from Valentino and Alberta Ferretti there really is so much to choose from! First things first though... the party season has just arrived! Trying to pick the perfect outfits for Christmas and News Years celebrations always requires careful consideration. My 5 top style tips over the next couple of pages should help guide you through. You’ll soon be the true fashionista of the crowd! It’s often hard to know where to go for good quality entertainment in London during the run up to Christmas, so I’ve compiled a top 5 of the best places to visit for your fix of art and fashion. I was also fortunate enough to catch up with British fashion designer Jasper Garvida, winner of Project Catwalk (SKY 1). I used the chance to speak to this exuberant and exciting designer to find out more about the inspiration for his most recent collections, as well as what he’s been up to in recent months.
Yours in style,
the london bug
Stevey Paris
DECEMBER 2009
There’s lots to get excited about in the lead up to the new year. Have fun dressing to impress, and get ready to be excited by 2010 fashion!
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Fashion 5 Tips 2. Glitzy glamour. Stand out from the crowd in sequin and beaded dresses or tops. Wear with a blazer for a more professional look, if you are going to an office party.
1. Square it out! Shoulder pad’s are in girls so get padding. Find dresses and jackets with exaggerated shoulders and combine with sky scraping heels or over the knee boots.
Black Statement Shoulder One Button Jacket £45 - MISS SELFRIDGE
3. Tailored, short but sweet. Cropped tailored jackets and blazers are a must have this winter! Every girl should have one. Wear with jeans and a knitted scarf or over a glitzy dress with heels.
the london bug DECEMBER 2009
Black leather tux jacket £120.00 - RIVER ISLAND
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4. Feel the print With beautiful prints being produced this season it’s quite hard to go wrong with this trend. combine prints with a colour matched garment or accessories.
l-r- Raven, £150, Savvy, £175 - DUNE
5.Thigh’s the Limit!! Be the centre of attention in knee high boots! Wear with sky high mini dress and tights. Brave enough? Wear without and show of those perfect pins.
Fashionbug
Project Catwalk’s Jasper Garvida A london boy at heart
STEVEY PARIS
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asper Garvida began his epic journey to becoming a phenomenal British fashion designer at the tender age of 19 while living in Toronto, North America, by enrolling at the International Academy of Design. Learning technical fashion skills his confidence and ambition grew making him set his sights on London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. “When I saw the advert for Saint Martins, I thought, I want to go there, so I applied and within three weeks I was on my way over to London”. Whilst studying there I learnt how to be more creative and how designs and garments should have a meaning behind them, something I was not taught about in Toronto.’
box and put them together to create an outfit. it’s all about being experimental something that is my passion when it comes to fabric manipulation.” Garvida’s Autumn/winter, ready to wear,
the london bug
After winning the competition, Garvida came back to London bursting with
DECEMBER 2009
Soon after graduating, Garvida designed for many high street brands and taught other fashion students at College, making him progress from strength to strength. The biggest opportunity came to him when he saw an advert for Project Catwalk (SKY ONE). He decided to audition, and quite rightfully, with a tremendous level of talent and flair, won. “Winning Project Catwalk taught me to be more confident in myself. There are two parts of my life my private life and my design life. I am a very private person and being on project catwalk I couldn’t be like that because both were always being exposed.”
energy and a new collection. “London has many fashion styles and is known for the conception of Punk and Mod. It’s full of creativity and that’s what I love the most. Some people look as if they have pulled garments out from a costume
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the london bug DECEMBER 2009
collection 09 is perfect for this Christmas! With beautiful hand-beaded dresses being worn by many of the fashion elite, this collection is definitely one not to be missed. Being inspired by his favourite artists and referencing the sculptures of Berto Lardera and Fritz Lang’s film Metropolis he has managed to create garments which are innovative and unique. Tailored and embellished in a rich and sophisticated way, this collection reaches the high standard that he is known for. “I try to draw inspiration from all over the world. I may not have been to Peru or Japan but I try to put myself into a mindset as if I was living there in that cultural environment.”
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When asked about his magical designs Garvida explained “Fashion has become my life! It’s the first and last thing I think about every day. I enjoy what I do and it’s what I feel I am good at. I have set myself goals in life which I am so far achieving. With my first main spring/summer 2010 collection which was shown at London fashion week back in September 2009 being one of them, my next goal is to be living and designing in Paris, I will always continue showing my collections here though, as I am a London boy at heart.” Now having worked in both sides of the industry, high street and high end fashion Garvida explained what he would most like to changes about British fashion, ‘ The one thing I would change is the celebrity culture that gets associated with fashion here. They seem to overrun the industry.’ Garvida’s personal style is quite simple.
This is a complete contrast to his professional style which usually involves such detailed and colour filled garments. When asked about it Garvida commented ‘my style is simple, I mainly wear self made clothes that always seem to be quite neutral coloured as when I meet my clients I don’t like to inflict my own personal style on them.’ His most recent spring/ summer 2010 collection, Las Meninas, is a perfect example of his love for fabric manipulation and colour. Garvida has been largely inspired by Picasso’s colour palette and abstract art. He’s produced brightly coloured printed and beaded garments with an ethnic twist that are uniquely tailored to a very high standard. One collection to definitely look out for next season. Jasper Garvida has a repertoire that many young designers would kill for, but he has proved that with determination and a great passion for what you do, you can achieve your goals and ambitions. His attention to detail is second to none, Jasper Garvida is definitely one to watch! LB
www. jaspergarvida. com
Musicbug
Location, location, location ALEX TELFER When the Astoria closed its doors for the final time earlier this year, London lost perhaps its finest mid size venue. Many of the worlds biggest bands have graced it’s stage over the years and most gig lovers will at some point, have cracked open an overpriced can of Red Stripe, wiped someone else’s sweat off their brow and enjoyed the great view and sound from almost anywhere within this church of music! However music goes on and the bands will find new places to play. One of the truly great things about living in London is the sheer range of choice. There’s venues of all shapes and sizes catering for the likes of U2 through to your friends horrific experimental dub outfit that you feel obliged to go and watch every month. In fact it’s often the smaller venues that leave you with the fondest memories. It might be some particularly shocking toilets... it could’ve been the worst support band you’ve ever seen... you might have ran into the main act at the bar afterwards simultaneously flogging their own t-shirts! But that’s what its all about! Here’s a guide to some ultra cool London venues: Troubadour 263-7 Old Brompton Road, SW5 9JA www.troubadour. co.uk
The Luminaire
the london bug
311 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR www.theluminaire.co.uk
DECEMBER 2009
One of London’s best secrets... is it a bar... is it a café... is it a restaurant... is it a collection of old kettles... is it a venue graced by Jimi Hendrix? The answer is of course it’s all of these and more. The Troubadour has a rich history beginning life in the 50s as a coffee house and developing into the cultural and artistic hot pot that it retains today. It’s location means it’s not the sort of place you’re likely to run into on the off chance. However if you were looking to impress an out-of-town friend with something
intrinsically London then this could be the place. The décor gives the impression of an odd museum which can’t make up it’s mind what it is preserving. They have poetry nights and an eclectic line up of gigs. The staff are characters, the food is great and the toilets are unisex! What more do you want? Oh, and the stage is intimate to say the least. Check it out.
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Kilburn High Street isn’t really on the beaten track and you may never go unless you actually live nearby. However the Luminaire is a music venue which makes a trip to the North West worth the effort. Boasting an almost nightly schedule of gigs it’s places like this that keep the underground music scene alive. It has an accessible stage, good sound system and impressively grafittied toilets that Banksy would be proud of. As well as providing a welcoming atmosphere for unsigned and independent artists you can often catch special gigs from big names and artists on the way up. Despite only opening in 2005 it’s already played host to big names such as Jarvis Cocker, The Fratellis, Hot Chip, Babyshambles and err Natalie Imbruglia.
intimate impressions of music over the ages. With a capacity of just a few hundred people, Water Rats has played host to artists like Bob Dylan in the 60s, The Pogues in the 80s, Oasis in the 90s and more recently acts such as Ash, The Magic Numbers and Skunk Anansie’s recent comeback show. LB
Marc Perrin
the london bug DECEMBER 2009
Monto Water rats
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328 Grays Inn Road WC1X 8BZ www.themonto.com
Hidden in the deepest darkest Kings Cross (in fact a short walk from the station) there’s a pub called The Water Rats. By day it’s a regular pub. But by night at gig time the back doors open to reveal an extremely small room with an even smaller stage at the back. This is where the magic happens! It’s a classic sweat box atmosphere that appeals to bands and fans alike. If these walls could speak then they’d have one of the most
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elancholic, epic singersongwriter in the mould of The Verve. Strident music that soars quite nicely, and the tingling of hairs on the back of the neck is definitely the game plan here, so you may well find your nape muchly stimulated. Marc Perrin has worked with Caravan Music Promotions in 2008 and subsequently his music was aired on
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many local radio stations both in the UK, USA & in Europe receiving much positive feedback. His track ‘My Soul’ was played on Tom Robinson’s BBC6 Music Introducing show and this play alone attracted interest from Vision Promotions who wanted to promote the song. His new song,” All I Need To Know” was mastered at Abbey Road studios and is available on the Myspace media player. Marc has played a live acoustic show on radio saint FM on which he played three acoustic songs. Marc also played at the 2009 Surface Unsigned Festival and
continues to bring star quality music to the scene. His main music influences are The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul Weller, The Verve and Richard Ashcroft. His musical strengths are well structured, original, finely crafted melancholic songs. He is a first-rate live guitarist with excellent stage presence. Marc is currently booking more gigs & recording in Livewire studios, all information can be found on his MySpace site which is www.myspace.com.marcperrinmusic LB
5 Steps To Sucsessfully Forming A Band ALEX TELFER
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Here’s some of the trials and tribulations that you can expect to face.
Finding band members is like trying to find three wives/husbands simultaneously! First of all you need to track down some candidates. Gone
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1: Recruitment
are the days of placing a handwritten note in your local music shop and waiting by the phone. Your first point of call is to create a My space web page promoting your ‘band’ and most crucially featuring some of your demo’s/samples. Using this point of reference you place an advert on gumtree aimed at the relevant party, let’s say a bass player. So far so good. Then you notice that every day there’s another fifty rival ‘bass player wanted’ ads posted. Undeterred you keep chipping away and eventually you get a reply. Overjoyed you enthusiastically write back... only for there to be no response. Was it something you said? You place the ad again and eventually hook up with what appears to be an enthusiastic bass player. You arrange to meet up but they never show. So you place the ad again... and again... and
DECEMBER 2009
orming a band is simple isn’t it? You get together with some friends once a week. Write some songs. Then play some gigs. It’s a straightforward process. Wakey Wakey McFly!!! The road to a small gig in a pub attended by uninterested friends is littered with corpses. Things can go wrong at any stage and when you see a band playing the gig there’s probably a hundred others that have fallen by the wayside.
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Image by Emily Ward
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again... don’t even get me started on trying to find a drummer.
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2: Rehearsals
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So after about a year you’ve managed to find some band mates All you need to do now is get everyone into the same room for a few hours once a week. Without pure commitment and military discipline the effort this takes will drive you into an asylum. Most rehearsal rooms tend to be in slightly out of the way locations so in order for you all to get there one of you will have to be prepared to travel a fair distance... and that person is you. Popular slots like Mon/Tue evening go quickly so you have to book weeks in advance. Once you’ve earmarked a time and booked a rehearsal space you’re all set right? Wrong. Expect a text the day before the
rehearsal from your drummer. ‘Sorry mate can’t make it tomorrow have a good jam’. With a man down not only is the session rendered pointless but rehearsal rooms have cancellation policies so you might as well go along anyway or lose money. Also, you’ll then have to start over again next week when the bass player can actually attend. Or you can fire him in which case see step 1. 3: Equipment To play music in the first place a significant investment in equipment is necessary. Assuming everyone at this point has made this commitment all you need to do is carry your heavy bags to some Northern Line outpost where the rehearsal rooms are. Has everyone brought everything they need?
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Instruments, wires, cables, effects, batteries, plectrums etc? Rehearsal rooms have a good supply of equipment these days so for a price forgetfulness can be overcome. Although its unlikely they can fix technical problems with your cherished axe... say a connection that’s come loose within your guitar. That will bring any jam to a shuddering halt! But at this stage maybe everything has gone well. So you plug into an old battered amp and prepare to run through some stock AC/DC riffs... nothing happens. Complete silence. Is it the amp? Is it the guitar? Is it a cable? Is it a power supply? Don’t worry the next 3 hours will fly by as you try to sort it out. You go and speak to the apathetic ‘manager’ but the only thing he’s bothered about is his latest tattoo. But it will only be a matter of time before you’ve got roadies doing this sort of thing for you won’t it? 4: Songs
5: Gigs If you’ve successfully negotiated the previous steps then the experience has probably aged you. However finally you are ready to take it to the stage and give your music to the masses. However before Bob Geldof calls, demanding you to get down to Wembley Stadium you’ll probably try and arrange a gig at a London pub/venue. You check out some websites and email some venues and get no reply. You call them up and get through to an Australian barman who doesn’t know what you are talking about. The organised venues who do get back to you will look for some sort of evidence that your product is at least competent. You need a demo or MySpace page with decent examples of your work. At this point let’s take a jump and assume it’s gone well. You’ve managed to arrange a gig. The nerves begin and you began practising twice weekly to make sure your set is perfect. It’s all going well until a week before the show. You get an email from the drummer. ‘Sorry guys. I’ve decided to go travelling around the world. Good luck in the future and I’ll keep an eye out for you on Top of the Pops’. Back to stage one. Enjoy.
LB
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Of course another important step to this process is getting your finished product to us for review, if it hits the mark we will feature your band in The London Bug which hits many, many people.
DECEMBER 2009
So you’ve got a great guitar riff. One that Jimmy Page would reform Led Zep for. You’ve developed and worked on it in your bedroom (the riff). It’s been knocked into shape and now it’s ready for a public outing. You wait for your moment in the jam and slip it in, awaiting the adulation of your peers. You wait for the right moment... you play it... and your band mates look at you blankly. ‘What’s that’? The drummer joins in with a beat half the speed that you had in mind ruining it. The bass player tries to play a simple mimic line but can’t quite get it. You jam like this for 20 minutes with growing disillusionment before giving up and playing a weak Nirvana cover. If you want to kick on this will be a frustrating period. It takes a lot of time to knock the songs into shape and you can spend months
altering arrangements, inserting middle eights and changing the key of outros! It’s easy to lose faith at this point but what you need to remember is that it’s actually an achievement to get this far! Stick with it son.
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the london bug DECEMBER 2009
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The London Bug’s Top New Years Eve Nights OUR TOP LONDON NYE NIGHT OUT IS: The Royal Horseguards Hotel Fantastic food, drink and fireworks in London’s finest location. 2 Whitehall Court, London. SW1A 2EJ New Years Eve packages from just £125.00 0207 451 9386
Other top London NYE nights include: Fire and Ice Roof Gardens New Years Eve - Roof Gardens 99 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SA T: 0871 971 5378 Date: 31.12.09 Doors: 21:00 Price: £95.00
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Get Loaded in the Dark New Years Eve - O2 Academy Brixton 211 Stockwell Road, Brixton, London, SW9 9SL 0207 771 3000 Date: 31.12.09 Doors: 20:30 Price: £25.00
DECEMBER 2009
Frantic NYE – Hidden 100 Tinworth Street, Vauxhall, London, SE11 5EQ T:0871 971 4564 Date: 31.12.09 Doors: 20:00 Price: £12.00
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DECEMBER NIGHTLIFE DIARY WITH EGG NIGHTCLUB With Key of Life starting the month (5th December), Ibiza Republik following (12th December), Winter Wonderland with Doc Martin headlining next (19th December), Amnesia on boxing day (26th December) and the Muak New Years Eve jolly up (31st December), the Christmas month’s onslaught literally covers the whole spectrum of dance. Up and comers Key of Life have been hitting the right buttons at their events at various venues across London, and we are proud to have them taking over the whole club on the Christmas run up. The rise of this night has been phenomenal and has become a can’t afford to miss night. Ibiza Republik (a new venture) is a collaboration of Ibiza promoters who have been highly successful on the white isle this summer, and are taking on the venue for their Christmas reunion (see DJs appearing from Kidology/Filthy Gorgeous/Fierce Angel/Flawless and more). Winter Wonderland features a Doc Martin special, with the floor hosted by Shoreditch’s Monophunk, plus the Really Nearly Rude show and the Gutterslut DJs with a very special guest. The Amnesia Ibiza night at Egg never fails to deliver, and last years Christmas get together hit capacity. Expect very much of the same this year, with many of the names who have played at the world famous venue, gracing the decks.
the london bug DECEMBER 2009
The month completes with Muak – the New Years Eve Masquerade Ball featuring Fish go Deep, Tracy K, Hideo Kobayashi, Ryralio DJs, Muak residents: Zaki and Manish, Popcox, Buzzin Fly s Christian Woodward plus the HERD promotion, therefore definitely looking like we’re in for a massive New Years Eve spectacular this year. So don a mask and have a blast, and we hope to see you on the dance floor.
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For information on all these events please email info@egglondon.net, call 0207 609 8364, or visit us at www.egglondon.net. Also for a limited time we are offering free EGG membership which entitles clubbers to concession entry, priority queue, CD giveaways and lots more.
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