So, when Suzanne Collins, writes about a fictional survival-of-the-fittest reality show, it immediately makes us roll our eyes – not another one! But it seems that this show is not predictable, staged and repetitive like what we are forced to watch at some point on tv. It is a battle to the death, where nominations are replaced by brutal murders and the tasks involve surviving fire ball storms and deadly mockingjay bee stings.

“The Hunger Games” is the first of a trilogy that explores the future of North America. After the apocalypse a country called Panem now exists. Even though it is set in the future things are not technologically advanced for the country with hover crafts and robot servants, like most people seem to think the world will look like. In fact it is split into 12 districts that are segregated from each other and confined to basic industries like mining and farming. The people living in the 12 districts are starving and repressed and not allowed to fight against the central city the Capitol. The way the Capitol (the governing body) keep people under the thumb is by staging an annual “Hunger Games” event where they throw 2 people (a boy and girl aged 12-18) from each district into an arena to kill off each other in a battle to the death. And because the people of Capitol are twisted and cruel, they set this killing spree up in a glamorous light making it a yearly entertaining reality TV programme.

The story follows protagonist Katniss Everdeen from district 12 who has had to support her mum and 12-year-old sister Prim, since the death of her father. She is no normal stroppy teenager, at the age of 16 she can hunt, barter and fend for herself. So, when her younger sister’s name is called in the ceremonious reaping to see who would take part in the annual hunger games, she courageously volunteers to take her place. The years spent illegally hunting animals in the woods with her best friend Gale seems to finally pay off as we watch her in the games. This leading lady has such a strong sense of survival, she makes Bear Grylls seem like Goldilocks. She is cunning, smart and eventually deadly.

The reader goes on a journey with the characters before, during and after the games; and the book is slpit into three sections to reflect this. At first the setting and complexities of the main characters are explored. We see how superficial the Capitol is and how they dress-up the games, just how the Romans would watch people fight to the death in the coliseum just for fun. But what is shocking is that the Capitol closely resemble us city folk, the way they bet on the games and how materialistic they are. Collins does a great job of taking these modern day references and mixing it with fictional futuristic elements, like made-up animals that sound like vicious, military, Pokémon.

The book is full of action, twists and pure animalistic survival. What Collins has managed to do is take a sci-fi story, aimed at young adults and has made it relate to people who just want a new world to be absorbed into. Cleverly leaving the story on a cliff hanger it leaves you hungry for the next instalment and desperate to see how the world of Panem is set to change after this year’s memorable games.

• Look out for the film adaptation of “The Hunger Games.” It will be out in cinemas from March 23.

For a sample chapter click HERE

This season saw a mix of folk-inspired patterns, bright block colours and a mash-up of textures where leather dominated supreme. The show opened with busy head-to-toe prints that reflected and developed last season’s softer “wallpaper” patterns. The first look was a tease of what was to follow with a patterned loose blouse tucked into red leather Aspinal of London gloves and a midi-length leather-look skirt with black leggings underneath. It was held together by a thick white hole-punched waist belt that remained a prominent piece creating feminine silhouettes.

The husband and wife designer duo Susanne Clements and Inacio Ribeiros’ love affair with cashmere, tartan and triangle shaped patterns remained present throughout the collection. But these classic elements took on a new form where the tartan was magnified and cast on sapphire blue and the cashmere jumpers were blocked in bright colours like mint green, coral and red.

Bright fuchsia was introduced slowly and could first be spotted on the Jimmy Choo courts and shade of Bourjois lipstick. The colour was then used on bold key pieces like a jumpsuit and tailored slim leg trousers, proving that winter does not mean the colour palettes have to remain dark and dull.

The show moved from floaty skirts, to bright coral and red cover-ups and finally to monochrome structured looks. Recurring pieces such as black leggings, a thick black bandana hair tie and that waist minimising belt tied all the concepts together.

The show attracted a fashion pack of all ages and backgrounds from Made in Chelsea reality star Millie Mackintosh, who donned a long charcoal grey maxi dress, to Hilary Alexander who examined the garments closely from the front row.

*Not only did the designers unveil their new collection, but also launched a new website today to allow their fashion followers more exclusive access to the brands developments.

For more Clements Ribeiro a/w 2012 show reports see:

VOGUE

Telegraph

Style.com

Elle UK

“Well, I heard Donatella will be arriving at with Kanye West.”

“Did you know that the first 500 people through the doors will get a free bag?”

The rumour mill was crazy in the queue outside Regent Streets H&M store this morning, as people speculated their odds of purchasing a key piece from the new Versace for H&M collection.

HAPPY CAMPERS: shoppers slept overnight to be the first in line

Hundreds of people had stayed for hours overnight to get their hands of some of the 60-piece range that launched at 9am this morning.

Donatella Versace opened the collection dressed head-to-toe in her Versace H&M collaboration, but was soon out of the door a mere 10 minutes after people were allowed to start shopping from the new range.

Despite an organised strategy of letting people view and purchase the collection is small groups, fashion predators raided the rails until they were bare.

Many anticipated this would happen. Fashion student Fifi Afobe, 21 said: “I have been here since 7 when it was still dark outside and everyone seems really chilled. But, I know that once they get through the doors people will turn into monsters, snatching things off each other and throwing things on the floor!”

The biggest let down of the day? Probably the fact that you couldn’t swap sizes if things were too big/small. And this Versace ‘bag’ pictured below. Surely it is the same size as a purse?

Leather Versace 'bag', £69.99

• Oh, look who it is! Donatella Versace and Elena Andreou in the same picture… 

Subscribe to Elena Andreou’s YouTube channel

Unemployment rates have hit a record-breaking low. Graduates are fighting over volunteer jobs. Getting a paid internship in journalism is as likely as winning the Euro millions jackpot.

These are just some of the statements and rumours surrounding the job market at the moment. So this evening when a panel of media industry experts told journalist students at City University London that there was hope after all… Well, it was a breath of fresh air to say the least.

 “This is the most exciting time to be a journalist, although some people in the business wouldn’t agree with me,” said Karl Schneider, the editorial director of Reed business publications. “I wish I was starting my career again, the opportunities to match the profession are amazing.”

Not only did these inspirational speakers give students advice on how to stand out when applying for internship opportunities, they also revealed that the future of journalism was in their hands.

The best example of this was when Chris Wimpress, political editor of the Huffington Post rushed into the lecture room late. He apologised and explained that he was held up due to a meeting at the lobby.

Straight away his apology meant that he gained even more respect from everyone in the room. This man is one of only very few privileged journalists who own a free pass into crucial political meetings. So what was his opinion on this prestigious responsibility?

“I can’t wait for you to get rid of the lobby. I thought it would have been gone by now, but it’s still here. It’s up to you to get rid of it!”

It definitely was a comment that took most people by surprise. The fact that these speakers, who are at the top of their game are seeking help and progression from students. They all unanimously agreed that they wished they were in the position that journalist students are nowadays.

Other shock confessions of the evening was when chief reporter at The Sun John Kay admitted that a degree was not necessary for a career in journalism. But he did make the audience laugh at his informative anecdotes on door-to-door reporting.

• The lecture on how to get a foot in the door in the journalism industry was attended by over 100 students. The speakers included John Kay, Chris Wimpress, Karl Schneider, Gaz Corfield and Dominic Ponsford.

  The horrific scenes that made headlines last month, revealed a nation fuelled with anger and frustration. Popular towns and cities were put under worldwide spotlight as locals trashed the place that they call home in a bid to make a stand.

Places like Enfield Town were propelled into media frenzy and was instantly perceived as a dangerous and rebellious area. In the space of two days a shopping hot-spot normally filled with affluent people was transformed into a  looting zone. So while the initial shock of the riots has worn off leaving a sense of uncertainty in the air, how have towns recovered economically and emotionally?

Firstly, the trace of the riots in Enfield Town is currently very discreet. Although some shops remain boarded up with a less-than-glamorous appearance, the personality of the locals shines through the remains. Signs that politely read to “excuse the appearance” of store fronts are plastered over  doorways, that last month were smashed to pieces.

Proudly gleaming in shop windows are encouraging “We heart Enfield – keep smiling” signs, that look as common as an “I heart London” t-shirt by Buckingham Palace. The uplifting posters hide the more sinister effects of the riots and reaches out to the local community in a subtle way.

 And while trade suffered with at least a day of shutting up the town, the shopping centres have already had one-of-many fun days that feature fashion shows and stands that helps remove the stagnant memory of people’s five-finger-discount spree.

 Although the community has made an attempt to erase the disturbing memories of the riots, the reputation of the town has taken a large blow.

Further reading:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/aug/08/london-riots-mood-calmer-premeditated

From left: Nabil El-Nayal (finalist), Heidi Leung (finalist), Colin McDowell (founder), Kerrie Luft (accessories winner 2011), Fyodor Golan (finalist), Caroline Gladstone (IMG)

Starting off as a young designer in the fashion industry can be very challenging. No matter how passionate, creative and talented a designer is, strict regulations and un-foreseen costs can mean a brand could potentially plummet before its first show.

Helping to put an end to this disastrous trend, top fashion commentator Colin McDowell started an initiative to nurture young talent into ultimately becoming prestigious brands. In association with IMG fashion he launched “Fashion Fringe” that is now in its eighth consecutive year and is responsible for propelling top brands onto London Fashion Week runways.

DHL provided a mentoring session to the finalists of Fashion Fringe 2011 yesterday that helped the young designers understand key information that would take them from a start-up business to a successful brand.

Finalist Nabil El-Nayal said: “I had no idea, for example, how many different regulations there are around the shipping of different materials including leather. Today has been a real insight into the kinds of issues we’ll have to consider in the future to ensure our fashion designs are commercially successful.”

The initiative provides new designers with key knowledge, materials and contacts that would propel their fashion house into the industry. With previous winners including top brands such as Erdem and Basso & Brooke the benefits of the initiative are truly life-changing.

The winner will receive a 2-year developmental package to help launch their business which includes financial funding, professional advice and a fully equipped studio.

• The winner of Fashion Fringe will be announced on 17 September and will then showcase their collection during London Fashion Wee k.

As soon as the first draft was penned, lawyers stepped in to strip Burley’s characters of traits that would reveal the identities that they were allegedly based on. After cleverly editing out some exclusive realistic content, the plot is left reeling with entertaining scandal and press manipulation at its very best.

The irresistible leading man is Prime Minister Julian Jenson whose “silver tongue” is responsible for being re-elected and for satisfying the three ladies in his life. His miserable wife Valerie lives her life in a drunken haze while Julian is left romancing his lovers. Mistress number one Sally Simpson is the editor of “Celeb” magazine and longs to be the PMs leading lady. Mistress number two is young TV reporter Isla McGovern who is merely sleeping her way to the top. Together the characters’ lives inter-link and eventually they are forced to meet in an explosive, confrontational stand-off.

Burley has created animated, farcical characters and placed them against a realistic backdrop of Westminster and current affairs. After doing her homework (from her elusive list of contacts) she is able to take the readers on a guided tour of No.10 and the media industry that she knows so well.  

She has described the PMs racy sexual escapades in a euphemistic way to the extent that the scenes sound more like poetry as opposed to explicit cringe-worthy action. But her colourful commentary is hindered by too many designer endorsements ranging from La Senza to Hermès.

Sticking to the constraints of the Chicklit genre Burley has managed to repress some of her “tell-all” reputation and has arguably played it a little safe. Nonetheless it’s definitely a beach-worthy read that her spin-doctor publishers have conveniently released before the summer season.

• Available to buy NOW!

So who is this ambassador of Black history that leaves an impressionable mark on every passer-by? Well, it is hard to sum up her decade-long contribution to history in a single title. Talking in a confident tone of voice that can mesmerise even a person with the shortest attention span, she says:

“I am an all-rounder really. My main role is to co-edit my Black History Month site and publication, but that involves a lot of work. I source stories, write them up, meet with other colleagues. I do a bit of everything because I would rather have it done right. That, and the fact that I am a bit of a lone-wolf”.

History is a topic that we have all studied at one point in our academic lives. Even though we have an understanding of it, it can be hard to make it exciting and new – because it isn’t. But drowning out the background noise of monotone speeches at celebratory history round-ups, you can hear Mia’s booming passion. She says: “Finding out about history is one of the best things that people can do. If we do not take care of our history we will just disappear.” Now if your history teacher told you that, wouldn’t you have paid more attention in class?

She has a charming ability to get you interested in whatever she is saying. Talking about her career to date she downplays her vibrant personality and perseverance as the key to her success. Instead she insists the combination of luck, timing and demand is what has led to a 100,000 print circulation and thousands of clicks on her site every month.

The whole idea behind embracing Black history month did not come from business meetings and advertising unlike other publications and sites. It came from an outcome of a lack of resources for setting up and publicising key events. She explains that, “Eric and Jessica Huntley wanted to post information online about an upcoming event they were involved in. I looked online for them thinking that surely there would be an outlet for this. But there wasn’t – so I created it for them”.

Eight years ago when her site black-history-month.co.uk launched the internet was a different place and Mia preferred it that way. But do not let that fool you into thinking she is incapable of keeping up-to-date with new developments. She has adapted her publication and site by giving them a re-vamped look at the start of 2011. The updated design included interactive social networking tools and a clearer layout. Yet she isn’t convinced that this development is a positive turn in the right direction. As a self-confessed techno-phobe she explains that social networking might potentially be damaging for history.

“What is starting to happen to people is that we are getting lazy. People go on Facebook to find out information instead of looking through archives and historical documents. There was a time when my website was the only interaction I had with the readers. Now I’m tweeting to them, skyping them and emailing them. For me it is a huge difference, but for modern visitors it is almost expected.”

As many of us may know Black history month is October every year, but Mia has the challenging task of making it relevant and current all year round. This year a way of spreading historical news is in the form a major Black history event taking place at Wembley stadium. With a large turn-out expected and top speakers lined up including journalist and activist Marc Wadsworth it is a perfect example of how Mia’s work and organisations are influencing future generations. “The whole idea is for it to be somewhere for the family. I am in the early stages of planning what that will look like, but so far we have a guaranteed food court and many exciting activities for children”.

Mia has a 30-year background working in the heritage field and started off her venture by volunteering at a radio station called Radio London on a programme called Black Londoners. Since then her work has gone from strength to strength with her site being archived by The British Library and being approached by SMAART publications that launched her magazine four years ago.

Growing up in Hackney she went to an all-girls school where most of the pupils were Black and this is what originally sparked off her historical interest. But her background is not the source of her current motivation. “Being grounded, not taking myself too seriously and integrity is what keeps my inspiration flowing.”

Taking on a large workload single-handedly means that life is often hectic and tough. She jokes that “My children are my sites and paper. And lately they have been very disobedient.” And when probed about whether it is too much for her to handle she exclaims “I’m a mad woman! I like to be in control of all the running of my achievements. If I were to let it go I would either pass the baton onto a trusted colleague, but I am more likely to let it die with my name”.

Although the future, like her light blue shirt, seems bright and full of promise she admits that finances are not great.

“I use money from other work to keep it going. It is not the best business model and I suppose I do have moments when I want to give it up. But then I remember that it is a good marketing tool for both myself and our ancestors”.

Finances aside Mia is confident that she has many years of contribution left ahead of her. She says, “Knowing that I am contributing to our history and that I am making a difference will keep it going. This is our story un-cut after all”. She has recently ensured her own history will be encapsulated after planning to deposit her personal archives at the end of the coming April, after running out of space to keep them at her house. This will highlight the story of her life for a change, while she continues to make sure that our stamp on the world will never be forgotten.

• Find out more about Mia Morris HERE
• Dates for “Black history live” has been announced! Grab tickets for the 1st & 2nd Oct at Wembley HERE!

Korres’ new fragrance “Paenonia Vanilla Amber Pear” is a light, fresh, fruity fragrance perfect for the upcoming summer months.

When it comes to the perfume industry, it is very easy to be persuaded by an alluring bottle design, ambiguous title and a sensuous advertising campaign. But Greek skin-care company Korres have kept things nice and simple with a bottle and name that is not distracting and tells you exactly what you need to know.

Their new fragrance “Paenonia, vanilla, amber pear” is exactly that. On first spray you get a fresh whiff of the fruity top notes of pear and apple. After the fragrance wears down on the skin the initial strong sweet smell settles into a subtle vanilla aroma. And although the purple rectangle glass bottle will probably not make it into your display cabinet, you are able to do your bit for the environment as it is recyclable.

If you like powerful strong fragrances that last all day, then maybe this one is not for you. Only available as an eau de toilette, the fragrance disappears on the skin after approximately 3 hours. What is left behind is a feminine woody smell that smells like a fresh light body lotion.

Fortunately, with a reasonable price of approximately £24 for 50ml you can afford to keep a bottle in your hand bag for a quick top-up during the day.

Korres was founded in 1996 and has now expanded into a worldwide brand. The company maintain strong values against animal testing and only use natural ingredients in their products that are kind to the most sensitive of skin types. As well as fragrances they sell a range of products from softening soaps to facial moisturisers.

In the last month top designer brands have begun releasing their new summer fragrances. And although the brand isn’t a well-known fashion house it is perfect for a person wanting a unique scent.

• You will like this fragrance if you like: Stella McCartney perfumes as both companies share natural ingredient values resulting in a clean, fresh scent.