Friday 28 September 2012

Another Weighty Issue



Honestly guys, are we still talking about body weight?
   
Are we still bothered about body weight in 2012? This whole argument is getting old and boring now. So-and-so is too thin, so-and-so is too fat. The most recent celebrity to be ridiculed for her weight gain is our favourite outrageously dressed Lady Gaga. Photos from her recent tour emerged on the internet showing her scantily dressed, meat dress and all carrying a few extra pounds and all hell has broken loose. It’s like she’s suddenly grown another head, although I think even that wouldn't be as outrageous as her putting on weight. Our society, and fashion society in particular are so bothered about weight and how we should look that if someone in the spotlight looks slightly different from the last time they were seen, it’s splashed on the front of every newspaper and magazine out there. Do we not have something more interesting to talk about?



I honestly thought that Gaga looked too skinny in her ‘Born This Way’ video (some of you may disagree). But when you look at someone and think ‘if I pushed you over you may break’ I think it’s time for something to change. And yeah, Gaga’s legs might be twice the size than before, and her waist might not be -20 inches but if her voice is still the same, what’s the problem. No one seems to be having a go at Adele, but then she’s always been on the larger size. And frankly, who cares, if I had a voice like Adele’s and could be mega rich and sell loads of albums I wouldn't care what size I was. Why are we so bothered whether someone has put on 25 pounds (apparently the exact amount Gaga has gained), surely we should be thanking Gaga for showing that size doesn't matter. Young girls are drip fed photoshopped images of models on the front of magazines thinking that this is what they should aspire to look like. Gaga is doing the opposite, she’s showing her little monsters that she was ‘born this way’ and should love who she is. She’s openly spoken about being anorexic and bulimic when she was younger which obviously isn't something she wants her fans to go through too. 

I’ve also read a comment saying she’s ‘brave’ to do this, the fact putting on a bit of weight (which is probably how she’s naturally supposed to look anyway) is classed as brave is just bloody stupid. It’s not bravery, it’s just being normal. Although still not as bad as relating Gaga's weight gain to 'accepting obesity'. Sorry, I just spat out my cup of tea. Someone who probably now weighs 10-11 stone (maybe not even that) being put in the same sentence as obesity, these people don't deserve to have opinions.


And it’s not just women associated with weight issues. My Mum txted me the other day saying ‘Have you seen how much weight Michael Buble has lost?’ The fact my Mum knows this means that Loose Women have run out of things to talk about. Unless she read a newspaper (unlikely) or it was on the news. When I looked on the internet I was imagining a frail half dead looking Buble, due to the fact my Mum’s txt sounded serious. I actually think he looks alright, his face does look a bit gaunt and personally I prefer the second image of him (with a bit of meat on his bones so to speak) but if he serenaded me as his newer thinner self I'd still melt. Fat or thin I'd still fancy him. As long as he's healthy, why are we all so bothered if someone looks a bit different (unless they were once huge and unhealthy and are now a healthier size)



I think we need to get back into a world where being happy and healthy is the main aim. Where people aren't gobsmacked when a celebrity gains a few pounds. Yes some people are naturally skinny and some are naturally curvy, people lose weight and people put on weight, surely at some point we can start realising this (and I mean everyone) and get over it, because these ‘weighty’ issues are frankly starting to get a bit boring.  



Friday 14 September 2012

Tim Walker - Story Teller

I am beaming with excitement for next month when Somerset House open their homage to my favourite photographer Tim WalkerOpening on the 18th October and not closing until the 27th January everyone has enough time to go have a look - and its free so there's no excuses.





Tim Walker is best known for his magical fantasy images and editorials and even if you don't know him you've definitely see his stuff. His collection of images in his most famous book 'Pictures' documents personal documentary style images along with those seen on the pages of Vogue and magazines alike. 










 Most recently he's been the front man photographer for Mulberry. Models in rooms enveloped by flowers, on Brighton beach with giant sticks of rock or even in the forest with a huge furry creature. He is one of the only photographers where I know straight away if its one of his photographs, because they are so iconic.






A self proclaimed perfectionist one of Tim's well known locations for shoots is Eglingham Hall in Northumberland which has been the 'backdrop to his photography for the past fifteen years'. In a radio interview 'Picturing Britain' for BBC4 in 2011 he describes it as having "...a sort of dishevelled-ness but still a sort of style. Bumblebees tapping on the window still inside, all the furnishings have stayed the same since the 1930s. It sort of represents an England that’s definitely disappeared. It is a magical place I think for me."




Along with the exhibitions of some of Tim's finest work, there will also be workshops, talks and screenings of films specially curated by Tim Walker. One of which is Tim's first feature 'The Lost Explorer'. I was excited by this, so last year purchased the book of still shots from The Lost Explorer along with the original story by Patrick McGrath.




Events and film tickets will go on sale in September. And speaking of books, Thames & Hudson will be bringing out a book aptly named 'Story Teller' to coincide with this exhibition. I will definitely be getting my hands on one of those.

All details of the exhibition and more can be found here: http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/tim-walker-story-teller



Friday 31 August 2012

Zara AW

A post dedicated to Zara's new Autumn Winter campaign with the wonderful Freja Beha Erichsen.

Zara are by far one of my favourite 'high street' brands. The clothes are affordable and chic and if my wardrobe could be filled with outfits from just one brand, I'd choose them. The new video and photo campaign by them echos the sophistication Zara's all about with a hint of playfulness. Freja was the perfect model for this role.


Oh and I'm going to post the AW12 MALE video to because HELLO Jon Kortajarena. I don't need to say any more apart from, you can't not watch it. Oh, and lets not forget to mention the talk dark other handsome male that begins this video, Sean O'Pry, a bit of a looker too it would seem.



David Sims was photographer on the shoot and did a fab job. In keeping with the videos, the black and white theme continues through the photographs. I love how striking and simple each image is, and whether you like or dislike Zara as a brand, there's nothing to dislike about this new autumn winter campaign.