SPIRITUS

Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Tim Burton's Magical Fashion

In anticipation of his retrospective at New York's Museum of Modern Art, filmmaker Tim Burton reimagines the season's dark delights. Photographs by Tim Walker.From Harpers Bazaar.

A statue of Talaiasi Labalaba, the legendary Fijian SAS sergeant created by Vivien Malock is to be revealed on 7^th of November on the eve of the regiment’s Remembrance Day service. The life-size piece will stand proudly at the centre of SAS Headquarters, Hereford and will be unveiled by a member of the Royal family in the presence of Labalaba’s comrades, friends and family. Malock, an Associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors said “it’s an honour to create a sculpture of such a worthy person. He truly is a hero,” when asked about her work.

Labalaba was recently brought to the media’s attention when Lord Guthrie spoke out against the BNP’s recent campaign. Guthrie revealed plans for the hero’s statue, naming him as “one of the greatest members of the SAS.” The Fijian trooper ran over 800 meters of exposed ground to a 25-pound gun and, though it normally took a three-man team to operate it, managed to open fire himself despite serious injuries. He died reaching for ammunition.

Talaiasi’s actions during the Battle of Mirbat are not widely known not least because the SAS's involvement in protecting Oman’s Sultan from communist rebels was top secret. However, many campaign still for the selfless hero to receive a Posthumous Victoria Cross. An SAS soldier commented “Labalaba served with my beloved regiment and cleared the way for some of the most courageous fighting men I have had the great pleasure to call my comrades. Give this hero and the others who died in the battle of Mirbat the recognition they deserve.” The valour of men like Labalaba, one of the great Special Forces’ heroes, should never be forgotten.

Sunday, 1 November 2009

Invictus

Image from IMDB

Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman as the former South Africa President Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the South Africa team captain. This film does not lack former Oscar winners and has already been recognised as a “front runner” for several Academy Awards.

Invictus is based on John Carlin’s book ‘Playing the Enemy’ and explores the work of Mandela after his release from prison, election as president of a racially and economically divided South Africa and his belief that he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport.

The movie documents the 1995 Rugby World Cup- one of the greatest moments in South Africa's sporting history and a watershed moment in the post-Apartheid nation-building process.

Invictus is due for release on December 11, 2009.

Tuesday, 13 October 2009

Paris Fashion Week

Leighton Meister (star if Gossip Girl) before the Louis Vuitton Pret a Porter show. She dresses much better in real life than in the show.

Image from zimbio.com

Monday, 12 October 2009

Fabric Moment; Leather

Leather is essentially one of the oldest industries known to mankind. Our earliest ancestors used skins to protect their body, hands and feet. Of course today it is a rare occasion that you see someone sporting a loin cloth, however leather was big news on the A/W '09 catwalks, taking shape in leggings, skirts, jackets and much more.

It seems nowadays we are no longer restricted to the 'Hells Angels' style fashioned by Debbie Harry, The Sex Pistols and several thousand sweaty men on the backs of their 'Harley Davidsons'. The young stars of today: Daisy Lowe, the Olsen twins and Agyness Deyn can all be seen rocking the post-punk style of the 80's. There is no doubt that a leather jacket is an essential in the wardrobe of the fashion conscious, but this season saw YSL, Louis Vuitton and Prada giving leather a more lady-like cut. Leather has officially evolved.

Leather has the ability to give an outfit a tough edge, a polish that no other fabric can. Whether you are channeling goth, grunge, punk or even fetish- you can do it with leather.