Jaimie Alexander Interview: What a Marvel!

While most Brits may not be familiar with Hollywood’s latest rising starlet, this certainly won’t be the case come April 29 when Kenneth Branagh’s highly anticipated Thor hits UK cinemas. In this epic adaptation of the classic Marvel comic, rising Hollywood starlet Jaimie Alexander takes on the role of beautiful yet powerful warrior goddess ‘Sif’ alongside Star Trek’s Chris Hemsworth in the title role and Natalie Portman as the hero’s love interest on earth.

 The 26-year-old actress from Grapevine, Texas is already known in the US as the “scream queen” who set hearts racing in thrillers Rest Stop and Hallowed Ground. She’s gained a cult following after her stint on ABC’s popular sci-fi show Kyle XY and will return to the small screen with a regular spot on hit American series Nurse Jackie later this year.

With several high-profile films due for release, Jaimie is certainly looking hot for 2011. Here she gives us the lowdown on her career so far and reveals what it was like playing the coolest woman in the Marvel universe.

How did you first get into acting?

I’ve always had a love for film, especially classic films from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s but I never thought that I would end up in this field of work. My manager, Randy James, found me in Texas when I was 17. I finished High School and moved out to L.A. He gave me the opportunity and I took it.

Tell us about Sif and your approach to playing her.

I was nervous at first, but then relaxed into the role. As a huge comic book fan this part is a dream come true for me! I did a lot of research and tried my best to stay true to who Sif really is. She’s a strong firecracker of a woman who embodies loyalty, bravery and wit but is also vulnerable, gentle and kind. I added a little bit of a “smart ass” quality to her as well! I love playing strong females and Sif has been my favourite so far.

Sif is a very demanding role, how did you cope with the stunts and training?

I trained for about three months prior to shooting, doing stunt work, weight lifting, running and some yoga for flexibility. I loved the physicality of the role and think my background as an athlete helped me quite a bit, (Jaimie was the only girl on her high school wrestling team) especially with the training and being able to take some pretty massive hits. I dislocated a rib and tore my lower back muscle … it wasn’t easy, but damn it was fun!

How did you get on with your leading man, Chris Hemsworth?

I loved working with Chris. He embodies all the good qualities in his character, Thor. He’s such a kind person with a heart of gold. He’s very respectful and never complains! Unfortunately, I can’t give away any details as to a possible “relationship” between his character and mine but I can say, however, that Sif is very loyal to Thor and is somewhat a protector of him. She loves him in many ways.

Jaimie with Kyle XY co-star Matt Dallas

What was Kenneth Branagh like as a director?

Wonderful! He really made the entire process a beautiful experience for me and always gave us actors a lot of creative freedom. He knows what he wants, covers all the bases and he’s incredibly intelligent.

You’re known in the US for playing Jessi XX in ABC’s Kyle XY. What drew you to that character?

Jessi was a troubled girl with extraordinary supernatural gifts and playing her was sometimes heartbreaking for me, as she didn’t have an easy journey while trying to fit in. I loved her complexities and vulnerability.

 Tell us a bit about your next TV role.

While I do prefer film, I also loved working on Nurse Jackie. I play Tunie, Jackie’s crazy sister in-law. She drinks, smokes, curses like a sailor and says whatever is on her mind without any censorship, so it was a very liberating role for me!

I was born to act because … It gives me freedom I wouldn’t have with any other job.
 
The best part of my job is … The people I get to work with (cast and crew)
 
I’d love to play opposite … Gary Oldman!

 

And finally, your favourite red carpet look is … a long, classy gown with simple jewellery and really tall heels. When I dress up I love to look elegant but tough!

Elegant but tough pretty much sums up Jaimie’s portrayal of Sif, which you can witness in Thor next month (a great antidote to the royal wedding if you’re not in the patriotic, romantic mood and would prefer a hefty dose of thunder and lightning in big-screen, comic book action!) She’ll also star in the indie dramedy Loosies in autumn and recently appeared in Ed Zwick’s Love & Other Drugs.

Hollywood Icon: Jane Seymour interview

From film to fashion: the sensuous Jane Seymour

Despite epitomising the term ‘English Rose’, America is where Jane Seymour chose to make a name for herself in film and television, after her initial rise to fame as Bond girl Solitaire. Best-known for her long-term title lead in American drama Dr Quinn: Medicine Woman, the actress became the public face of American clothing line Country Casuals in 2008. She talks about film, fashion and making it in Hollywood …

Jane cites her style icons as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, revealing a keen interest in fashion which remains intertwined with her screen career. With an artistic eye for detail and solid sense of style, the beautiful English actress was an obvious choice to inspire Country Casual’s clothing lines, whose 2011 Spring/Summer collection focuses on feminine floral prints and maritime inspired pieces that encapsulate the look of St Tropez and tropical glamour.

To celebrate her seventh season with CC, Jane transferred her artistic talents into jewellery design, with an exclusive jewellery collection in which she incorporates semi-precious gemstones, freshwater pearls and crystals to emanate glamour and style.

The actress was first propelled to international attention in 1973 via the iconic role of tarot-reading ‘Solitaire’ in Live and Let Die and remains as one of the sexiest Bond girls of all time. “Solitaire was a virgin and I was as close as they could get to that in swinging 70s London!” she reflects. “It was a major opportunity but it was also a role I had to live down if I was going to prove myself as a serious actress.”

Yet as a child Jane, like many young girls, desired the life of a ballet dancer, “I fell in love with Ballet as a child, but my dreams of becoming a professional dancer were dashed at 16 with knee injuries,” she says. “Luckily, I’ve had the opportunity to play many great roles, including period pieces, which have required me to dance as well.”

When she tried to pursue an acting career in England, producers turned her down for roles because they felt she looked ‘too exotic’ and it became clear that to make it in the industry, she would need to cross the Atlantic:

“When I came to America for publicity on one of my movies an important casting director told me if I lost my accent I would work a great deal in America. My English agent wasn’t happy with this and let me go. I took a big chance coming to America with 300 pounds, no agent and nowhere to live. I gave myself six weeks to make it.”



Once her American accent was perfected, a slew of TV and Film roles came her way, including Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, War and Remembrance and East of Eden, which won her a Golden Globe. It was her leading role in the long-running 90’s TV series Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman which made her a household name in America and proved an important milestone in her career.

“I’ve done a lot of television because I chose to be both a mother and an actress,” she says. “When I took on Dr Quinn I was beyond bankrupt and the role was a gift! I loved the character and the themes we addressed in the show.”    

Among her numerous acting credits, she says her favourite projects have been East of Eden, Somewhere In Time and War and Remembrance, while her most challenging roles required learning Marie Callas’ arias and playing Marie Antoinette in two different languages.

Modelling her Open Hearts collection of the red carpet

 Now approaching 60, Jane looks astonishing for her age and attributes her svelte figure and clear complexion to rigorous exercise and a strict healthy eating and beauty regime. To prove that older women can still exude sex-appeal on the silver screen, she took on a small yet scene-stealing role in 2005’s The Wedding Crashers.

Her hilarious turn as a cougar with her sights set on Owen Wilson led to her first nude scene in 20 years, which she surprisingly admits was the reason she accepted the role; “It was hilarious and working with Owen was a dream come true. It was embarrassing but nothing was ever visible to anyone but Owen … and he quickly got over it!”

 

 A true veteran actress of Hollywood, she also has some words of advice for aspiring actors, “First you need the passion and the drive, then you need the stars to align; that’s where talent, hard work, determination meet opportunity and plain old good luck! Studying English Literature, dance, music will also help enormously.

“In this profession, observing human behaviours and tapping into your own emotional reservoirs are vital.”

Key 2011 Fashion Trend: Bold Colour

COLOUR ME BOLD!

Right now rain is battering wildly against the window, yesterday it was snow and for as far as I can remember its been grey skies all round … yes, the good old British weather does make it hard to believe that spring is really here! But its being shouted loudly from the pages of every style bible; its time for us to embrace this season’s trends, as the SS11 catwalk collections are now available to buy and their influence is once again penetrating the high street. Among them, thankfully, is one pervading trend that will prove a surefire antidote to our current melancholy; bright, bold, beautiful colour!

From bright orange and pinks, acid greens, canary yellow, ultra violet, electric blues and turquoise, last season’s catwalks were drenched in a crayola cocktail of unashamedly vibrant hues. Of all the fashion weeks, Milan is regarded as the ultimate trend setter and, as its designers proved, the fashion capital of the world was retaining its strong stance on colour.

Gucci screamed it from the off, as supermodel Raquel Zimmerman opened the show in an orange blazer, purple bandeau and tapered turquoise trousers; zingy colours are a must for SS11, here with a 70’s glamour twist. Miuccia Prada agreed, saying “It’s time to be bold!” which she certainly was in her collection of eye-catching looks in single primary colours, bright Club Tropicana prints and vertical stripes of neon and black. 

Jil Sander followed suit, opting for clashes of bold, brutal hues tempered with black or white. She offered a classic example of how to easily work the colour blocking trend, pairing a pink maxi skirt with plain white T-shirt to show impact of simple block colour.

MaxMara, Fendi and Versace also embraced this season’s optimism through brave colour combos in which purple, pink, orange and turquoise dominated. Aquilano.Rimondi gave the trend a citrus twist in acid lime, yellow and orange which was used elsewhere in London by Christopher Kane and Christopher Bailey in Burberry Prorsum’s cool metallic biker chicks. Issa and PPQ drew inspiration from Morocco and India and invested in jewel bright tones.

Along with Burberry Prorsum, PPQ was one of my favourite shows of London Fashion Week as they were one of the few who truly exploded colour onto the catwalk in London. While its set to be a key trend this season, bold bright and brutal colour blocking and clashing is not a look for the fainthearted or body consious! To achieve it, the key is balance. Mixing two tones of colour in silk trousers and a lightweight top in classic, simple shapes like PPQ showed below is an easy way to go, or like Jil Sander, pair a statement piece like a coloured maxi skirt with a white t-shirt, or a brightly coloured dress with a black or white blazer.

If you want to go bold with colour blocking, pick two or three shades to pair together – orange, purple and turquoise seemed a popular choice on the Milan catwalks, but generally citrus hues of orange, lime and yellow balance well together, along with pinks, purples and reds. Even introducing one key piece in a statement colour to a neutral outfit will salute the trend that champions the fun, daring and eccentric experimentation with colour.

Use and abuse; as they say, who dares, wins!

All images courtesy of style.com

Jessie J ‘Who You Are’: Album Review

Despite all the hype and promise of her chart topping Price Tag and her stomping debut single Do It Like a Dude, Jessie J’s album Who You Are proves a slight let down! ***

Stomp, stomp she arrived … after years grinding away in the industry, Jessie J’s solo career was launched last month amidst a frenzy of publicity, heralding her as the next big thing in British music for 2011. With a BRITS Critic’s Choice award under her belt, she stormed into the charts with her debut release Do It Like a Dude, placing at No.2 and Price Tag gaining the No.1 spot for two consecutive weeks. Justifiably, her album Who Are You was hotly anticipated, so much so that her label brought the release date forward four weeks to coincide with the all the media attention, but would it be able to live up to the with the severe hype surrounding it?

Jessie’s first offering Do It Like a Dude had certain a Marmite effect, but from the first airplay I was definitely a fan, drawn in by the single’s edgy, infectious vibe and Jessie’s undeniable confidence and swagger. Much like the rest of the nation, I was really excited about this brand new hope for British RnB. The media, the record label, even Jessie J herself seemed to be promising us a new Katy Perry/Rihanna of our very own, with incredible songwriting skills and a platinum gold singing voice. Then came Price Tag; still fun and infectious but edging a little more towards frothy pop than I would’ve liked. Still, it claimed her a UK No.1. Maybe the album would have more of an edge?

Sadly, no. With all the buzz off the back of her award and chart success, the album really needed to be an instant classic or a major game changer, but with Who Are You Jessie gave us neither.

Most of the tracks sound like fillers, and the whole package seems incredibly rushed, no thanks to the early release date. Jessie’s vocal talent is undeniable, but she tries too hard to impress; in tiresome vocal showboating she flies up and down her scales and performs crazy vocal gymnastics with scatty tics ruining some very good songs.

At some points it gets a little screechy and painful – the title track Who Are You and acoustic ballad Big White Room would be truly magnificent if she played them a little more straight, rather than going “K-k-k-kwazy” experimental on us. For such a gifted singer, it is unfortunate that some of her pitches could make your ears bleed!

Her impressive voice gets swamped in dull, simplistic and generic production, given an US-style gloss that, in an attempt to make her more marketable, sadly makes her less original. Mama Knows Best has a Christina Aguilera-esque burlesque brass to it, Abracadbra, while catchy, is Katy Perry and I Need This is very Paramore. Having spent years writing songs for other artists (most notably Miley Cyrus’s succesful Party in the USA) it was going to be a bit tough for Jessie to find her own sound, and this seems like a bunch of first songs from four or five different artists.

While the album was sold on her songwriting ability as well as her voice, she doesn’t produce much world-changing material on this front either, preferring a more commercial, diet coke ad take on love and her main messages seem to be about ‘staying true to yourself’ and ‘following your dreams’.

That being said, I loved Who’s Laughing Now where Jessie pokes fun at school bullies who have come crawling out the woodwork now she’s found her slice of fame. Her writing is cheeky, relevant and fun; “Oh Jessie I saw you on Youtube/I tagged us in photos from when we were in school” while her singing remains quirky, even though it still edges on annoying. Her voice has been given a transatlantic twang, which is a shame as she sounds most distinctive when there’s that English accent creeps like; afterall, it worked for Lilly Allen.

Still, this is just the start of the 22-year-old singers career and, all things considered, her album is still very impressive for a debut and will undoubtedly sell by the millions. Compared to other British singers who have been spat out of the Simon Cowell reality TV talent show machine in boring, identical, generic pop moulds a la Alexandra Burke and Cheryl Cole, Jessie J is a fresh, fun and exciting prospect for British music, who’s at least trying to do something a little different. Based on the album, she may not know what type of artist she is yet, but she has plenty of time to figure it out. Once she does, the results will be startling and as an artist, Jessie J will be unstoppable.

Diagram of the Heart interview

This London-based electronic pop duo are set to be the next big thing in 2011.

The first signing of Sony’s relaunched label ‘Deconstruction Records’, Kye Sones and Anthony Gorry have spent the last 12 months earning their stripes on the festival circuit, where their mix of classic Indie rock/pop and epic synths driven by an electronic heartbeat earned them a legion of fans. With their singles chart debut If I Were You set to hit the airwaves later this month, I caught up with their sexy frontman Kye to explore the inner-workings of Diagram of the Heart in an interview commissioned by NOIR magazine.

How did Diagram of the Heart come together?
We met on Myspace. At the time I was working two jobs, one of which was chimney sweeping (yep they still exist!) I’d spend my evenings writing songs and performing wherever I could. I was looking for that unique sound, which I found when I started working with Anthony. I liked the music he was making and we clicked musically and creatively.

What bands/musicians have strongly influenced you?
We both have lots of similar musical influences. Anthony comes from a dance background and listens to all kinds of music. I grew up with the Beatles, Elvis, Michael Jackson and was heavily influenced by Oasis and Blur in the Brit Pop explosion back in the 90’s and also love my dance music. We both love good songs regardless if they’re rock, pop, dance, dubstep or indie. 

You must’ve been psyched to be the first signing to Deconstruction Records!
Yeah, it was a no brainer really. Mike Pickering (our label boss) told us he was resurrecting the label and we jumped at the chance to be part of it. The music decon put out in the 90’s was iconic to that period in time and that’s what we are hoping to do with our album Vital Signs now.

How do you det on with the legendary Mike Pickering?
Great apart from when we talk football! He’s been an artist, a DJ, a label boss and has had massive success in all those areas, so if he gives you advice you listen. I think it’s really important to have great respect for the people who handle your carrier and we both have a massive amount of respect for Mike. He’s been with us every step of the way. Mike also looks after Kasabian and Calvin Harris; two of my favourite artists, so we know we’re in a good home!

Do you prefer working in the studio or performing live?
Live for sure! There’s nothing better than seeing a crowd jumping up and down to your songs. The most exciting thing for us when making the record was visualising how we were going to take it out on the road. We have three other guys that join us on stage; Mad Max on bass, Chris Haddon on guitar and Grant Kershaw on drums. We’ve got great band chemistry.

 

What was your festival experience like last summer?
Amazing! We had an early slot which meant we had to work extra hard to get people in our tent. The festival crowd is our perfect audience – people who are there just to have a good time and let loose. Supporting Calvin Harris at Ibiza Rocks and playing the iTunes festival in Camden’s Roundhouse were definite highlights! Kelis was also a great support slot at gay pride in Manchester. We had a good following there after we supported the Scissor Sisters at the Manchester Apollo a few months previous.

What can we expect from your album Vital Signs?      
We didn’t want any fillers so we wrote 30 songs and picked the best. There’s tracks for big nights out and we end the album with Why Does It Hurt? It’s a perfect chill out for the morning after! We wanted to make an album that takes you on a journey and makes you feel a mixture of emotions … like a good DJ would.

Diagram of the Heart’s Vital Statistics:

Their music is “euphoric, big room sound with one foot in the warehouse and one foot in the charts.”

They can’t stop listening to “Alex Metric & Steve Angello’s track “Open Your Eyes”, Magnetic Man, Temper Trap, Mike Snow and Kasabian.”

They chose ‘Diagram of the Heart’ “because our lyrics are heart-felt and emotive and there’s a strong beat throughout our music, like a beating heart!”

If I Were You is out March 13

Key 2011 Fashion Trend: Ballet – Our Latest Love Affair

 

With the exception of Natalie Portman, Darren Aronofsky’s mesmerising Black Swan may have lost out during the awards season, yet its magnificent costume design by Amy Westcott and cult New York fashion label Rodarte perfectly captured the fashion zeitgeist.

The imagery of the ballerinas and their costumes has been a perpetual source of inspiration for fashion designers, and in terms of trends for SS’11, ballet is once again taking centre stage. We witnessed its influence back in September, when a host of designers sent ballet-inspired creations down their SS’ll catwalks.

The structure and flow of ballet costumes was reflected in dresses with fitted bodices, tight waistlines and pleated skirts either flared out just above the knee or billowing down to the floor to replicate the graceful movements of ballerinas onstage.

        

Chloe’s artistic director Hannah MacGibbon was clearly inspired by the exquisite art form as the label’s latest collection was awash with soft, natural hues, velvet bodies and billowing sheer skirts with plisse and satin trims, while her models took to the catwalk in gorgeous ballet flats. At Lanvin, the essence of ballerina’s movements was captured through sweeping, volumous skirts while Julien Macdonald mimiked the contruction of a tutu with layers of fine fabrics used in dresses with Flamenco-style hemlines which flowed down the catwalk.

      

Erdem was another designer who chose to build his collection around the classic ballerina silhouette with tiny waistlines above full and floaty knee-skimming skirts done in lace and white shoes with ribbons tied up the calves like ballet slippers. For those looking for a less feminine edge to the trend, Christopher Kane gave us his take on the ballerina style in eye-catching pops of acidic pink and orange.

                                 

                                                           

David Koma provided the most literal nod to his inspiration when it came to presenting his SS’11 collection, opening to the familiar lilting notes of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Taking his cue from the story of the beloved classic ballet, he began with his Odiles dancing down the catwalk in flared thigh high skirts and fitted bodies with linear edges, instilling  both the white and black incarnations of the character with undertones of sexual appeal. He followed with monochrome pieces depicting the princess in transition, and closed, of course, with the all-black Odette, updated in leather.

 

While ballet costume design clearly impacts on the creations of top fashion designers,Giles Deacon is returning the favour by designing the costume for Swan Lake’s Odile to mark the English National Ballet’s 60th anniversary this month. While they have been publically scraping over the spoils of recognition for their work on the film version, Amy Westcott and the Rodarte twins have set the bar high with the stunning outfits Natalie Portman wears as her character Nina makes the transition from innocent white swan to its dark, dangerous and sexually charged twin.

As she completes the exceptionally danced and choreographed piece Nina literally sprouts feathers, as in her mind she has finally killed off her fragile side to become the black swan; it could only be done in film and looks incredible!

As the popularity of Black Swan has suggested, it’s not just the world of fashion that has become captivated by the most delicate form of dance; the ballet aesthetic has hot-footed it to the beauty counter as well, with the public going head-over-heels for pretty pallettes of pink from Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel. Later this year will see the release of Pina, Dance, Dance, Otherwise We Are Lost, a 3D film about choreographer Pina Bausch from indie film director Win Wender.

Ballet’s long and illustrious history is set to be showcased through literature and exhibitions dedicated to the art form; Jennifer Homans, a former ballerina has published Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet in which she sets a case for ballet as the central art form to every civilisation, and The Proud Gallery in London is showing its first exhibition dedicated to ballet. There’s also plenty of opportunity to see the real thing for ourselves, as The Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet will be retelling the magical tale of Alice in Wonderland throughout April and May, and the The Royal Ballet are also dancing Romeo and Juliet at the O2 Arena in June with superstar dancers Carlos Acosta and Tamara Rojo as leads.

BBC4 is currently showing a documentary following the English National Ballet as they prepare for their own production of Swan Lake. While it demonstrates the enormous amount of time, work and commitment put in by all those involved in the process and proves a fascinating insight into that claustrophobic and competitive world , for me it detracts from the magic of watching a ballet production in its entirety. What fascinates me most about ballet is the poise, elegance, grace and beauty shown in the dancers perfectly controlled movements and the pinpoint precision of the mesmerizing chorus and the overall ability to tell a story in such a beautiful way without any words at all. In a world dominated by film, TV and mass media in general, its nice to observe a narrative solely told in movement and music.

As far as fashion’s concerned, I’m really excited about the fun, feminine and romantic ballerina trend and can’t wait untill summer when I can waft around in a tight body suit under long pleated skirts with billowing layers of chiffon worn with cute ballet pumps and my hair done up in a messy ballerina bun. (Okay so given Glasgow’s temperamental weather I probably won’t be doing this but hey, a girl can dream!) It’s a look that’s simple and elegant, achieved in soft materials and floaty fabrics kept minimal in natural tones and clean lines. See below for some high street inspirations!

    

Left to right from top to bottom: Dress Mango £79,90, Dress Mango £99.90, Skirt Topshop £35, Dress Topshop £150, Satin Pleated Skirt Rare £20, Bodysuits American Apparel £65, Ballet Flats Topshop £18, Coral Dress Topshop £35, Shoes Ted Baker £90

All catwalk images are courtesy of Style.com

Kelsey Chow Interview: Disney’s gorgeous new ‘It’ Girl

The lovely Kelsey Chow is best known in the US for her current role in Disney’s Pair of Kings and her stint on popular teen drama One Tree Hill. Having caught the acting bug early through Community Theatre, the 19-year-old actress has quickly become Disney’s new ‘It’ girl and, thanks to her impeccable fashion sense and casually elegant style, she’s also proving a definite hit on the red carpet.

While Chow is certainly one to watch when it comes to aspiring American actresses, for her it’s not all about the bright lights of showbiz. She chats about her career so far, the importance of education and her interest and activism in Global Health.

You first burst onto our screens as Gigi in One Tree Hill. What was it like starting out on such a well-known show? 

Surreal! One Tree Hill has the most devoted and enthusiastic fans and working with the cast, the crew, producers, and the creator, Mark Schwahn was such an unbelievable experience. I loved being able to take chances and expand on her character when Gigi returned to the series. 

Tell us a bit about your character Mikayla in Pair of Kings.

Mikayla is the daughter of the Royal Secretary of a remote island paradise called Kinkow. She assists the Kings and is a Royal Guard, who takes her responsibilities very seriously. It’s a fun role because she’s well-trained in the martial arts, so let’s just say she can take care of things if she needs to!

Chow with the cast of Pair of Kings

You guest starred in Little Britain USA, how did you find the experience? 

Working with Matt and David was an opportunity to watch them do what they do best – develop these very real characters and show us this over the top absurdity which is in all of us at times. It was a day full of laughs, that’s for sure!                                            

You’ve also performed in Les Miserables at the Edinburgh Fringe. Did you enjoy your festival experience? 

I love musical theatre and performing in Les Miserables at the Fringe Festival in Scotland was an experience of a lifetime!  I loved Scotland, and just being in the centre of so many incredibly creative people was astounding.  

 

As an actor, what particularly attracts you to a role?

I look for roles that allow me to take risks, and that challenge me beyond my comfort zone.  Every actor seeks that special role that puts them in a place they have never been before as an actor, and my dream role is to be allowed that opportunity.

 

 

 What future projects have you got in the pipeline?

I’m very excited about getting started on Season 2 of Pair of Kings, so that will keep me busy. I want to continue acting as long as I can and hope to expand into film and theatre but also  plan to complete my education at Columbia.

How have you found juggling college and acting?   

My education is very important to me, but I love acting more than anything I’ve ever done. I’ve been lucky because I was able to attend high school full-time and still work on One Tree Hill for three seasons. It can be difficult at times but I love being able to do both; it keeps me grounded and focused.

What inspired you to study Global Health as well as Community Theatre at Columbia?  

My grandparents were both physicians with the World Health Organization in North Africa. My father, also a physician, is quite involved with not only the practice of medicine, but with humanitarian efforts and health funding for those in need. During high school, I attended a medical forum in Boston and came away with a newfound awareness and strong conviction that everyone deserves basic health care, no matter where they are.

Do you have any role models who have strongly influenced you?

My parents have really set the bar for me by living their lives to the fullest. From them I’ve learned if you work hard and really keep your focus, you can accomplish anything. And of course, my grandmother (who’s 94!) still gives me advice. She has lived one of the most exciting and courageous lives, especially when it comes to helping others.

Kelsey is actively involved with Club Red (a new division of the Red Cross) and has participated in and supports the “It’s On My Mind” campaign for the Jed Foundation.

Annie Leibovitz casts her own magic over Disney’s finest moments

Penelope Cruz as Belle in the arms of Jeff Bridge's Beast

Renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz has unveiled her three new additions to her series of Disney Dreams portraits for Disney Parks. The gorgeously staged pieces feature Jeff Bridges and Penelope Cruz as Beauty and the Beast, Oliva Wilde as the evil Queen from Snow White alongside Alec Baldwin as the Magic Mirror and Queen Latifah as the villainous Ursula from The Little Mermaid. 

 

Olivia Wilde is the Wicked Queen taunted by Alec Baldwin as her Magic Mirror

Queen Latifah governs the elements as sea queen Ursula

 Her spell-binding images join a collection of work which Disney first commissioned in 2007 and depicts a host of A-list actors, singers, models and dancers taking on the guise of some of our most beloved Disney characters including Whoopie Goldberg as the Genie from Aladin, Rachael Weisz as Snow White, Julianne Moore as Ariel, Scarlett Johansen as Cinderella, Jessica Biel as Pocahontas and David Beckham as Prince Phillipe. 

while Julianne Moore glistens as Ariel

Rachael Weisz as Snow White

Leibovitz is no stranger to capturing famous faces. She began her career with Rolling Stone, (where she was made chief photographer after two years) photographing music legends like John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Bob Marley. She also captured the iconic image of John Lennon several hours before he was shot outside his hotel. The image was used as the front cover of the issue commemorating his death and was voted the Best Magazine Cover of the preceding 40 years

Mikhail Baryshnikov plays Peter Pan as he tries to entice Gisele Bundchen’s Wendy to Never Never Land, with Tina Fey as Tinkerbell

Julie Andrew's is the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio with apprentice Abigail Brestin

She went on to become the first contributing photographer to Vanity Fair and became known for her theatrically staged, wildly lit and provocative portraits of celebrities, including the front cover image of a nude, pregnant Demi Moore and Whoopie Goldberg submerged in a bath tub of milk. 

Jennifer Lopez and husband Marc Anthony soar through the Arabian Nights as Jasmin and Aladin

 

Her work has also appeared in Vogue, for which she produced an amazing series of Alice in Wonderland inspired images featuring Kiera Knightely, New York Times Magazine and the New Yorker. You’d be hard pressed to find any Hollywood personality who hasn’t been the subject of her lens; Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are just a few.

 

Scarlett Johanson flees the ball as Cinderella

 While her black and white intimate portraits are certainly her most powerful, there’s something about Leibovitz’s Disney pieces that I find utterly captivating. Beyond the fact that they are beautiful staged and captured, I think they pull me back to the dreamlike, fantasy world Disney created for me as a child yet are shot through with a dramatic, artistic edge that really is stunning to observe.

Beyonce is swept away as Alice in Wonderland

A re-imaging of fairy tales for grownups with a contemporary twist: what’s not to love?

Ziad Ghanem’s rock/shock finale to LFW!

Generally, the formula for catwalk shows during London Fashion Week rarely differs; lights dim, music blares, models walk … if the collection is amazing then it all makes for good viewing, but in general it can get pretty repetitive.

Then every once a while, a designer with an eccentric and theatrical bent comes along to remind us exactly how spectacular, artistic and rebellious the world of fashion can be. Boundaries must be broken; McQueen was a master at it, but this year the prize for the most memorable, exciting and elating showcase went to Ziad Ghanem’s creative masterpiece ‘Never Ends, Never Ends, Never Ends.’

The London-based Lebanese kitsch couturist opened his show in typical eccentric style; dark, dramatic and demonic. A ghoulish woman clad in a magnificent ruffled black gown with skull-like makeup slowly took to the catwalk, unfurling her huge green feathered fans like wings she rose up on stilts to tower over a riveted audience, who were cheering from the off.

 

Then to the soundtrack of Personal Jesus, which began in a delicate instrumental version before descending into outright pumping rock, off-the-wall, gender-bending, beautiful mayhem ensued. Men with devilish joker-style faces and black lips stormed the catwalk, clad in elaborately folded capes of Moroccan crepe with protruding shark fins, etched with neon Japanese symbols.

Both male and female models walked in tight, form-hugging dresses of white silk with black embroidery, shimmering gold and bright fuchsia Duchess satin with a mix of deep v-necks and corsets showing off voluptuous curves and heaving bosoms, emitting a rich sensuality.

Black and white gothic-inspired pieces gave way to long, floating, ethereal gowns in hues of blue, pink, violet and grey, decorated with intricate beadwork. Flowing silk sleeves and column dresses were decorated in a unique print depicting giant birds of prey.

In a startling display of showmanship, ballet-style pieces were shown off to their greatest advantage as models glided, danced and pirouetted up and down the catwalk, with layers of chiffon and silk billowing in their wake.

Dramatic make-up individualised every look, with faces masked in rich hues of colours corresponding to the more vibrant outfits, while Day of the Dead skull-like masks characterised the darker side of the collection.

 A bride and groom decked in black veils of gauze and intricate headdresses solemnly marched down the aisle, scattering their captivated congregation with dead rose petals. To conclude, a huge lady in swathes of grey and intricately embroidered flowers sashayed down the catwalk to a furore of applause.  

For his stunning creations Ghanem took inspiration from the horror video game “Silent Hill”, the work of painter John-Henry Fuseli and the movie “Black Swan”, delivering a collection which was both sumptuous and beautifully crafted, and packaged in the most exciting and captivating presentation I’ve ever seen on a catwalk. 

Martyr: Jacob Kimmie at LFW A/W’11

With its marble floors, ornate stonework, grand columns and wrought iron partitions, the vestibule in Freemasons’ Hall proved an ideal venue for the theatrical presentation of Jacob Kimmie A/W show Martyr, in which he explored the idea of transgression through a collection steeped with neoclassical influences with a 90’s gothic twist.

Mmm ... one for the ladies!

The one major downside and less glamorous aspects of attending London Fashion Week is the waiting around for a show to start. Actually, it can be rather dull so many thanks to Mr Jacob Kimmie, who very considerately placed two ripped Adonises for our viewing pleasure!

The Borghese Hermaphrodite

Languishing on top of their white plinths in nothing but a white tulle nappy, they represented the neoclassical art which inspired the designer’s Martyr theme, including The Borghese Hermaphrodite, Leon Bonnat’s Martytdon of St. Denis and Robert Mapplethorpe’s White Gauze. The tolling of bells and a few lines in french heralded a rather arty and pretentious start to this dark and brooding collection.

Models sweep past in fine veils and hijabs, followed by long black panelled dresses in wool and crepe. From the press release we are told that Kimmie embraced a dark side with his muses who include True Blood’s Rutina Wesley (Tara) and Lina Leanderson from Let The Right One In, who both “possess a compellingly dark uncompromising, radical iconoclastic ‘otherly’ style.” 

The collection also had a sassy street vibe with a nod to the early 90’s, when fashion was a form of protest. This was seen in damp grainy denim pieces with white ribbon ties, and nude body suits emblazoned with tattoo-style designs. Monochromatic prints of barbed wire and thorns swirled into silks, satins and draped tulles, echoing the collection’s tortured martyr theme.

Many of the models were styled with wild bouffants à la Helena Bohnam Carter and, adding to the show’s theatricality, makeup played a key role; all-black outfits were offset by white faces, models sported silver nosebleeds while others were tattooed and covered in red. The final outfit consisted of a virgin-white wedding style dress, its wearer’s head and shoulders dramatically covered in red.

The black-veiled pieces reminded me of the Prince of Persia, while the whole collection’s mix of religious references and gothic sacred themes gave it a Madonna-esque feel. With Martyr, Kimmie sought to protest against the mainstream, banality and ironic nostalgia through creating radical fashion from an intellectual standpoint. In a time when the nation is still riddled with the limits and contraints thrown at us by the recession, which has left many of us feeling bruised, bashed and trodden on, it seems fitting we should be able to make a statement through fashion, as championed by Kimmie.

Relevant, brave and theatrical; Martyr is stirring stuff.