Trends, by their very nature, grow and fade, and this is never so true as in the fashion industry. For 2015, it wasn’t just ripped jeans and ‘athleisure’ that defined the year’s catwalks and infiltrated the front rows. Fashion over the past year has reflected a wider trend in society that is calling for greater […]
2015
Review: Downton Abbey finale
It’s all over. After six series and 52 episodes including five Christmas specials, the much loved period drama Downton Abbey has bid its final farewell. For a series which had its fair share of turbulent relationships, murder, debauchery and deception not to mention major historical tragedies such as the sinking of the Titanic and the […]
The best of 2015
5. Madonna’s fall from grace Edna Mode, from The Incredibles, is probably one of the greatest philosophers of all time. Her legendary rule of “No Capes!” is something which is universally true, but Madonna thought she was the exception to the rule. It was the Brit Awards in February that saw Madonna suffer the same […]
Paris Agreement – An historic win, or a colossal failure?
When the result of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or CMP 11, was announced, many felt joyous. Finally, 196 countries had banded together and produced a 12-page document that embodied global recognition and cooperation against the issue of global warming. Yet, a few cranky cynics like myself harboured a little more doubt over this […]
Exeposé Screen Films of the Year 2015
Jack Smith, Online Screen Editor 2015 has produced some great films, and I have experienced a good share of fun with more serious fare. My selection is based on a mix between what I considered my favourite and the ‘best’ film experiences of the year, and so, I believe that everybody should check out these movies […]
In defence of the Man Booker Prize
How many titles are you faced with in your average bookshop?! My guess would be in the thousands, although I’m more of a words than a numbers person. Between towering shelves, it can be hard to know where to begin. Do you stick to the section of your favourite genre, rifle through the renowned classics, […]
Review: Macbeth
Whether on the screen or the stage, you can never have too much Shakespeare. The stories speak for themselves, they continue to resonate with modern audiences and offer themselves up for multiple interpretations. That being said, sometimes the best of the bunch are the ones that keep it traditional. That’s what the latest version of […]
Latitude Festival 2015
Music Editor Katie Costello and co. headed to Suffolk last weekend to take in “arguably the most middle class event of the summer”, but beyond the champagne socialists and Waitrose shoppers, she found a festival rich in its variety of music, arts and landscaping. [dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]he Latitude pink sheep were milling around on the river […]
What is the cost of financial responsibility?
Tim Woolley examines the first Conservative Majority budget in 19 years. The buzz-word in Westminster today is ‘stability’. As crisis looms in the South Mediterranean, the Chancellor has a dismal financial backdrop over which to weave his tapestry of supposed economic recovery. The Opposition, split between two left-leaning parties, is in comparative disarray. Indeed, as […]