LaShawn Merritt could not have known when he bought penis enhancement pills over the counter from a local convenience store in Bradenton, Florida, that his embarrassment would go global. "It was more energy-wise," the American Olympic 400 metres champion says, suppressing a guilty smile when explaining his purchase of a product that contained the banned substance Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and which led to his suspension for 21 months.
"[There] was a condom and right beside it was [ExtenZe]. It was a 'boom boom', went-home-type deal. It was a poor judgment call from me. If I'd looked on the back and saw that the label [said] DHEA, I definitely wouldn't have taken it. I'd never think in a million years that I could buy something from a 7/11 and test positive for track and field."
Nor be asked to explain why he bought it in the first place. "Embarrassment was an initial reaction for a minute," he said, "but, when I thought about it, I'm pretty sure there's more than a couple of men here who've taken it. But I'm a pro athlete so I just forgot that part. When I was picking it up, I wasn't thinking about anything. It was just 'boom boom', to the house."
And now it's "boom boom" to the Olympics and Merritt is back in the big time. He is the first banned gold medallist to defend his title, a dubious distinction that does not sit well with Dai Greene, who says he will make his displeasure known if they meet in London. "If I'm in the relay team and we reach the final then there's every chance we'll be lining up against Merritt," the Welsh hurdler says. "I'll tell you now, I'll happily go and find him at the start and tell him to his face, 'You're a cheat and you shouldn't be here'."
Merritt is cool about that. "I have read [what Greene said] and I put it down and kept on about my business," he says. "I just looked at it as somebody else's opinion – it was, honestly, just nothing."
Was he interested in replying to Greene? "You know what, not really but, if we line up, we'll go at it like anyone else. If we get together in the four by four, I'm gonna do my job and he's going to do his job and USA are gonna bring the gold home. It is a little motivating but I've always been motivated without saying anything to anyone. This is what I love to do. If I didn't say a word all year I'd still be as confident."
You tend to believe him. Merritt has a quiet aura, one derived from natural talent and an admirable work ethic – although there are plenty of people in his sport who side with Greene. "There may be people here who think the same thing," he said at the US Olympic team media summit in Dallas. "People think what they think, but I have nothing to do with it. I have to continue to do what I do and that's work hard and show up."
He certainly showed up at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, two weeks ago when he ran 44.91 seconds to beat a field that included the rising Grenadian Kirani James. The teenager, who beat Merritt on his return to international athletics at the world championships in Daegu last year in 44.60, false-started in the Prefontaine race but ran it anyway – and finished just a stride behind Merritt. Merritt also beat his fellow American Jeremy Wariner, the 2004 Olympic champion, as well as the twice Olympic 400m hurdling gold medallist Angelo Taylor and the Jamaican Chris Brown.
Wariner and Merritt will meet in the final US trials, starting on Friday. "He's a threat every time he steps on the track," Merritt says. "You respect your co-workers because you know how hard it is. But we're fighting for the same position."
It would, nonetheless, be a major shock if Merritt does not make it to London – although he wishes there was one other member of his family there to see him run. His older brother, Antwan, died in mysterious circumstances at college 13 years ago, and LaShawn to this day is not satisfied that justice has been done. "He never got the chance to see me run track," he says. "I'm here and able to do something and I have to maximise my potential. He was a musician who wanted to be an architect and he passed away at his first semester at college. He never even got a chance to start his dream.
"He went to Shaw University in North Carolina. Evidently he got into an altercation with a guy on a basketball court and the guy was part of this off-campus fraternity. That same night, the guy's frat brothers ended up coming to his dorm room, which was on the ninth floor, and he ended up out of the window. It was three big guys. He'd just turned 18 and was smaller than what I am now.
"He died a little bit later but the guys shouldn't even have got through security. There was a camera pointing right [at] the window but it wasn't working. Whoever thought that could happen? They were charged [with manslaughter] but there was some law which meant they couldn't prove that they [were responsible for his death]. One got a little bit of time and others got community service, so I don't think justice was served.
"It gave my life perspective. I learned when terrible things like that happen you just have to keep moving forward, because nothing else is going to stop. The more you sit there in your misery, it's not going to help. If I sit here and do nothing, then I'm only hurting myself. So I kept training. That's what I did during the drug stuff. I went back to school. I didn't finish my degree but I'm majoring in business management. I talked to a couple of local schools on how things in life may happen."
When Merritt failed his drugs test, he became a non-athlete. He always thought he would be reinstated but says it was tough to stay focused on a sport that had rejected him. "For two years I didn't get any money. With the help of some friends, I could pay my bills but not much more than that."
And, if his accountant had something to do with looking after his finances, it was his dead brother who provided the underlying motivation to return to athletics. "I think about my brother before every race because he never got the chance to see me run. He saw me play baseball, basketball and football when I was young but never at track. So I'm doing this for the both of us.
"Me and my brother were really close. He was five years older than me, and I was hanging with him and his friends some time. When I was a youngster he would tell all his friends that I was fast and I would race older guys in the street. He would come to all of my sports events and be the big brother, supporting me. He would give me money; he'd say if I hit two home runs, he'd give me 20 dollars, or whatever. He definitely played a big part when I was growing up.
"He was always a hard worker and I can remember him being in the house at high school, writing music for the whole band. He was a guy who had this talent for music. Even before I step on the track, I say a prayer which he's in and it just gives me strength. I know he's watching over me. I kiss my two fingers, I raise them as high as I can and then, after that, it's time to do what I was blessed to do. If he was here he would have loved to see me do it."
If Merritt does not keep his title, if James rediscovers that extra stride to beat him again – he maintains: "I really feel I beat myself in that race" – he might turn to American football as a second sporting career, having flirted with the option during his enforced exile, as a wide receiver. "It's still a possibility," he says. "It was serious in my mind. I was thinking I have to do something and I think I may still try out. I think am I going to regret it if I never tried it."
Americans love their goals and dreams. Merritt's fulfilment of his talent in Beijing four years ago has been tarnished but he is hanging on to it, regardless. And London, he says, will neither prove him guilty nor innocent.
"Gold wouldn't be redemption for me. I continue to train, to work hard, just as I've done ever since I was 18. If I win – when I do win – I won't think about what went on. It will just be a case of all the hard work I've done paying off. I don't feel I've got anything to prove. No pressure. I'll take it round for round. Now I'm here I'm just going to get the job done.
"I feel the drug testing itself was nothing. Something happened, I didn't read a label. To some people, it may be a cloud but, to me, I just made a mistake and I'm moving forward from it. I feel my case was unique."
Drug-taking in sport has long been an art and a science. It is wrong and it is widespread, but those who are good at it often profit. They risk their health and their credibility because they think it is a price worth paying, a delusion that is sadder even than their fall from grace. Merritt's is yet another case of an athlete claiming ignorance as a defence. It is pretty much the default position of anyone careless enough to get caught – and this one had the added piquancy of embarrassment.
"I was laying in bed, my agent told me, 'We got the letter and they're not letting you compete.' At first it was like when the police pull up behind you on the road and your heart just drops … oh, no. My agent thought it was funny … "
True. But how could an athlete be stupid enough to risk universal derision by using a product such as Merritt did in the pursuit of a possibly marginal advantage? Perhaps he is telling the truth, after all.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
West Sussex put on flood alert ahead of weekend - thisissussex.co.uk
The Environment Agency is preparing for more heavy rain and potential flooding problems in West Sussex.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for heavy rain for today with up to 20mm expected in the area from midday Friday.
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More rain is forecast in West Sussex over the weekend
Crews are using pumps to lower river water levels to provide capacity for even more rain that is expected over the next 48 hours.
A flood warning remains in force in various locations in Bersted. Eight flood alerts were in place earlier in the week and though this has been reduced, the Environment Agency said that more could be issued if there is further significant rain.
West Sussex saw major flooding problems earlier in the week, in particular at Littlehampton and Bognor and the surrounding areas. 250 homes in the village of Elmer were flooded by around six foot of water and residents had to be rescued by boat and taken to temporary accommodation.
Other areas that saw floods were Worthing Hospital, Havens' Church Farm holiday camp, near Chichester and access to Butlins in Bognor Regis was prohibited. Several schools and colleges in the area were also shut.
Peter Quarmby, South East flood and coastal risk manager, said: "We are focusing all efforts in working in areas that have been affected by flooding over the past few days to lower river levels and will continue to work alongside our emergency partners to assist flooded communities with immediate response and recovery.
"Latest forecasts indicate that heavy rainfall is again expected to cross the South East on Friday and into the weekend. We urge everyone to remain vigilant."
Frank Saunders, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: "We are working closely with colleagues in the Environment Agency and other agencies to ensure that we are all aware of the latest weather forecast."
Arun District Council is holding information days for communities in areas that have experienced the worst of the flooding. They are being held at Felpham, Elmer, Littlehampton, Barnham, Wick and South Bersted, from Friday until Wednesday, visiting one location each day.
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
London 2012 Olympics: IOC launch investigation into 'black market tickets' - Daily Telegraph
After being alerted to the latest allegations, the IOC called an emergency meeting of its executive board and said it would investigate.
The committee will also consider a complete shake-up of how Olympic tickets are distributed among member countries.
A spokesman said: “On being informed of the allegations, the IOC immediately convened an extraordinary meeting of its executive board and determined a number of actions - the convening of the ethics commission and asking for any evidence of wrongdoing to be provided to the Commission without delay.
“The IOC takes these allegations very seriously and has immediately taken the first steps to investigate. Should any irregularities be proven, the organisation will deal with those involved in an appropriate manner. The NOCs are autonomous organisations, but if any of the cases are confirmed the IOC will not hesitate to impose the strongest sanctions.
“The IOC has also determined that it will take on board any recommendations coming out of the inquiry to improve the way that tickets are allocated and sold internationally in the future.”
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
London Collections: Men live blog - fashion.telegraph.co.uk
Follow The Telegraph fashion team live from the first London Collections: Men shows. Today: Sherlock Holmes in pyjamas, men in Birkenstocks and more...
BY Belinda White | 16 June 2012
LIVE STREAMING TODAY:
09:00 Sibling 13:00 Mr Start 17:00 Matthew Miller
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SATURDAY JUNE 16
19:00 THE FERDINANDS DO FASHION
When Rio and Anton Ferdinand turned up at the Rake show tonight we had to ask: did you watch the match last night?
"Yeah," said Rio: "but I'm not talking football."
Damn right! Who wants to talk football in the middle of London Collections: Men? The Rake show - reviewed elsewhere by my colleague Phong Luu - made a valiant tilt at making formal-wear wearable informally, mixing baggy, streety trousers with razor-sharp double breasted. There was also lots of beautiful detail applied with the sly aplomb of Danny Wellbeck using his instep to deliver a cushioned ball... oh, sorry.
Anyhow, sticking with fashion, Rio said: "I loved it. I like the cut of the blazers and the little details here and there were really nice."
Anton added: "for me the salmon blazer with the shorts and tie, I liked it." But - even for a man who wears shorts to work (sorry) - does he think they are acceptable teamed with a jacket as part of a tailored look? "After seeing that, yeah. I would wear it."
For the record Anton was in a Vivienne Westwood jacket, waistcoat and shirt, with Topman jeans and Louboutin brogues. And Rio sported an Ozwald Boateng knit blazer with red Superdry trousers. "I'm not sure where the shirt is from. You don't want to be too aware of these things." True. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
18:40 A VERY BOOZY BILMESY
Also outside Jonathan Saunders earlier today was hungover Alex Bilmes, the editor of Esquire magazine. His jaded state was the whirlwind reaped from playing host at Friday night's biggest London Collections: Men party (which we skipped due to the football). So how did it go?
"Well we had a great turn-out. Jon Hamm [aka Don Draper] came, Florence Welch came, Alexa Chung DJ'd, David Gandy came, Sherlock Holmes came. It was fun, it was boozy and it went on til God-knows-when." Was there bad behaviour?" No, none. But there was dancing. We had Graham Norton and David Furnish on the dancefloor which was a very Esquire moment, as you can imagine."
Did Bilmes boogie? "No actually I didn't..". Probably because it's always a bit awkward to dance in a tailored jacket - that dad at a wedding feeling? "Yeah! You end up with that white man's overbite or whatever they call it. The soft shoe shuffle. There was a bit of that. But it wasn't very expressive, my dancing. No jazz fusion."
He added: "Another great thing about the party is that it was a meeting of the mens magazines. Dylan [Jones, GQ editor] came and Jo Levin came. And I managed to wrestle Dylan in front of a step and repeat board with our logo on it, which I was pleased about. He tried to block the Esquire logo, but it didn't work." - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
Alex Bilmes is wearing a Piombo jacket and the expression of a man who's digesting a major hangover and a bacon-burger from Byron:
Alex Bilmes PHOTO: Luke Leitch
18:30 THE GAP YAH YOOF GOES UPMARKET AT RAKE
Not often the Gap Yah Yoof plays muse in fashion, but apparently he's everyone's favourite inspirational figure today (see Christopher Shannon, below), including at Rake. Banish thoughts of said yoof bunking in the Chungking Mansions, though: Rake's traveller is decidedly more the private-riad-in-Marrakech sort, and the clothes, modelled by a global cast who looked like they had rocked up from Calcutta to Cancun, mirrored that.
PHOTOS: Philip Hollis
There were sand-dusted safari jackets that looked fit for a jaunt in the Sahara, dhoti-ish chinos and flowing djellaba-like shirts, accessorised with beads (picked up from India?) which dangled nonchalantly from wrists. The loose silhouettes were carried over to evening wear, where baggy trousers where paired with sharp blazers; any man's wardrobe would be all the better for one of its gorgeously crumpled double-breasted pea coats.
These were the easier sells: most, however, would probably need a shot of baiju before attempting the pink shorts suit - or 10… Phong Luu, fashion features coordinator, The Daily Telegraph.
16:30 HEDONISTIC ABANDON AT CHRISTOPHER SHANNON
Citing "hedonistic gap-year backpackers in south-east Asia" as inspiration behind his spring/summer 2013 collection was somewhat of a bold statement to brandish in the faces of editors and the fashion-pack, alike. And so with images of full-moon parties firmly ingrained, Christopher Shannon's show began.
Fringing was the texture du jour. From mop hair dos that put a hippy spin on the traditional curling rags of days gone by, to striped ensembles with threads literally bursting out from garments, thanks to an overzealous seamstress. This tribal tourist look crept onto everything from shirts to shorts paneling, embellishing an otherwise very wearable, sober colour palette.
Shannon's collaboration with The Cambridge Satchel Company also looked promising with the stylised satchels also receiving a tassle or two.
This mop haired, backpack boy chic was only dented slightly by the designer's devotion to the Kickers brand. The dreaded boxy school boy shoes for a trip to Asia: really Christopher Shannon? - Alice Newbold, fashion.telegraph.co.uk.
PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
16:00 PLACE YOUR ORDERS FOR JONATHAN SAUNDERS
It wasn't just the one-up, one-down staircase at the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms that contributed to the queues at Jonathan Saunders today - this is one of the most anticipated shows of London Collections: Men so far. And justly so: the womenswear crowd swoon for Saunders' colour, focus and wit and soon the fashiony menswear crowd will too, thanks to this first, full, Saunders men mega-collection.
PHOTOS: Philip Hollis
As so often with Saunders it's the prints that make you squint. Here there were polka dots suffused with graphic, geometric fades of colour on short-sleeve shirts, twinsets, T-shirts and casual jackets. There was also a rather fetching green bomber jacket (in a fabric produced by the company that does Mercedes Benz's upholstery). Plus a hefty dose of intricately wrought knitwear - jumpers are the gateway garment for the colour curious man - and even (something completely new) some Jonathan Saunders suits.
As Saunders said as he took a breather outside: "Yes, there's a lot going on in there. The ingredients are the same as the ones I use in womenswear, really. It's about textiles and colour-balance, and also about a very 'dressed' person: formal in a way. What's important in balancing those things is that there is an element of sophistication: that's what I try and do in women's and it is important in menswear as well."
Saunders takes a 'fashion' breather backstage at his LCM show. PHOTO: Luke Leitch
"I love doing it. It's the whole think of dressing yourself. I don't know if other menswear designers have that but for me it is exciting."
He added: "I've only just started with menswear, but it's so category-driven. And guys, no matter how wealthy they are, they're price sensitive as well. And that's something we've had to look at in great detail. How much is our guy going to wear on a sweater?"
By the sounds of the amount of ordering going on upstairs, the answer is probably quite a bit. Tim Blanks of Style.com's staple garment is the colourful short-sleeve shirt. And going by his assessment - "It's the third summer of love!" - that's one bulk-buying customer confirmed right there. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
15:00 NEOPRENE DREAM
Fashion writer Dal Chodha knows how to rock a smock fashioned from neoprene, and no mistake!
PHOTO: David Nicholls
14:30 THE ONE TO WATCH
Just looking back over the London Collections: Men pictures so far, and just want to share how much I love new boy Shaun Samson. I first came across the Central Saint Martins graduate at ITS (International Talent Support) 2011 in Trieste where he collected the prestigious Collection of the Year Award, and he was just about the nicest chap you could hope to meet. Originally from San Diego, with parents hailing from the Phillipines, Samson is going places fast after being picked up and promoted by that most trendy of spotters, Lulu Kennedy and now showing as part of Topman's MAN collective at LCM. Expect to see him striking out with his very own catwalk show soon, which will no doubt be the hottest ticket in town. Remember the name. - BW
A model on the catwalk at Shaun Samson's presentation as part of MAN, and the designer himself. PHOTO: Chris Pledger.
14:05 LESS IS MORE AT LEE ROACH
The setting for Lee Roach's spring summer show was the palatial Carlton Gardens, a stone's throw from the mall. The venue was ostentatious and provided an interesting contrast to Roach's minimalist lab-coat chic collection. The garb was monochromatic; sleeveless tunics and coats in grainy charcoal were teamed with tapered trousers. The detailing was devastatingly simplistic; singular black rucksack straps were employed to tie together the garments and neatly capped-off Roach's pared back pieces. The forensically reductive aesthetic was cleverly offset by black gladiatorial Nike trainers and flip flops. Whilst the pomp of The Queen's official birthday procession was visible through the windows, Roach's show provided a welcome reminder that sometimes less is more. - George Dennis, The Daily Telegraph.
PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram
14:00 FALSE START
Mr Start spoilt Team Telegraph to a third row seat at it's spring/summer 2013 show, and from this vantage point that I can exclusively reveal that the collection included suits in brown and blue and pink. At least, I think it did. There were certainly suit jackets - which is all I could really see over the heads of the students and bloggers in front of me. Genuine hoorahs though for the hair - the only other thing I could see. It was styled by the very excellent Alex Glover, head barber at Murdock London. - David Nicholls, Design Editor, Telegraph Magazine.
13:50 IT'S NEVER DREARY KATY EARY!
PHOTOS: Philip Hollis
Versace-esque turquoise and gold baroque-print skater T-shirts worn with matching long basketball shorts? Welcome to the weird-but-kind-of-wonderful world of Katy Eary. She may have been showing her collection one street back from Savile Row, but her look is as far removed as it's possible to get from what it has traditionally stood for. Suffice to say, she doesn't exactly embrace minimalism, our Katy. As if the shimmering T-shirts and shorts weren't enough of a statement, she sometimes layered them over white PVC drainpipe trousers and accessorised with a Mr T-style heavy gold necklace, high-tops and a kingsize white patent-leather backpack. More for the club kids, I think, rather than the beachfront at Southwold. So hip-hop it hurt. A lot. - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.
13:30 ALEXA PERPLEXER...
Alexa at TPIWIT striking a pose with giddy gal pal Pixi Geldof (top); and striking her SO last season pose (below). PHOTOS: REX
13:00 COCKTAIL CAUTION
More from the Esquire/MrPorter/Jimmy Choo party (hereafter simply referred to as The Party I Wasn't Invited To) where WAG model Abbey Clancy and her giraffe-like husband Peter Crouch were snapped soaking up the complimentary Belvedere Unfiltered Vodka Martini's. Here's a before and after shot of Abbey...
Woo-hoo, bring on the pole! PHOTO: REX
PS Am i the only one who thought Crouch was in Poland??!! #justsaying.
12:50 OH MAN
For the 15th season, Topman and Fashion East showed their support for emerging menswear talent by staging MAN - a three-in-one fashion show featuring the work of up and coming names in the business.
First up was Astrid Anderson, known for playing around with sportswear archetypes. Lace printed chiffon tops were layered over nylon gym kit, oversized basketball jerseys featured panels of faux fur and Kagools were cropped to just above the nipple. Oh, and we'll all be wearing toe rings and faux fur bum bags next spring.
Astrid Anderson. PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
Next up was the excellent Agi & Sam, whose collection channeled 1970s kitsch and cool in equal measure. Prints - from the pixelated to the painterly - were reminiscent of retro wallpaper and at other times vintage tapestry. A Cath Kidston-esque bird print shell suit was approximately one million times lovelier than it sounds. Socks with matching patterns were a delightful touch.
Agi & Sam. PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
The final designer of the threesome was Shaun Samson who presented an upbeat collection where kitten print T-shirts were adorned with metal spikes and lace softened up the streetwear vibe. A section of layered, oversized, checked pieces styled with woolly hats hinted at a return to grunge - with a modern lurex twist. This is, after all, the season for mixing discordant fabrics. - David Nicholls, Design Editor, The Telegraph Magazine.
Shaun Samson. PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
12:40 HAMM SANDWICH
This just in from last night's Esquire/MrPorter/Jimmy Choo party to which I WAS NOT INVITED . Anyway here's JON HAMM , yes, that's right, DON DRAPER sandwiched between Esquire editor Alex Bilmes and ex-Esquire editor, now Mr Porter's editor-in-chief, Jeremy Langmead. Jon is clearly thinking about me in this picture. Well, at least someone was eh? Sniff sniff... - BW
12:35 TOVEY TIME
Spotted on way to Katy Eary's show: the actor Russell Tovey...
PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram
12:20 ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL
"Queen's official birthday procession outside Lee Roach, bet she's gutted about missing #lcm"
PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram
12:10 HOWDY PARTNER
Now here's a street style look we can all learn from this season. Fashion isn't just about the way you dress, it's about fancy dress. Love the way this fellow has clashed his prints, textures and references. 10 points!
PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram
11:45 TO BIRK OR NOT TO BIRK? THE DEBATE ROLLS ON...
Help me out here. I stand pretty much alone within the Telegraph Fashion team in thinking that there's nothing wrong with a man in Birkenstocks. When i uttered this out loud recently, i was shot down by the group of wide-eyed, open-mouthed fashionistas (male and female) in my vicinity. So, to prove me right, here i present the Birkenstock clad feet of one stylish model at the Agi & Sam presentation at the MAN show today. Yes, he is wearing them with flowery socks, but that's merely a styling flourish. A styling flourish too far, some might say, but not I. I say go forth and celebrate the strappy splendour of these majestic plates! ...Just me then...? - BW
PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram
11:30 DAPPER MEN AT MAN:
PHOTO: David Nicholls
11:20 THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF E TAUTZ
The heart does sink rather when you pick up the show notes to see the designer banging on about their inspiration. But I should have known better than to doubt Patrick Grant at E Tautz, who showed his spring/summer 2013 collection in a converted wharf in Wapping. In Grant's hands the inspiration - here the explorer and travel writer Sir Wilfred Thesiger - becomes seductively beautiful and Savile Row tradition is suddenly rendered relevant and wearably modern. Modernist even. The show opened with a pair of midnight blue flat-front trousers, a single-breasted three-button jacket, a crisp white cotton shirt and a heavy, flowing fuchsia cape (Grant calls it a duster coat, but I beg to differ). From then on in it just got better and better. Of course, this being E Tautz it was all about exquisite cut, but it was also about fabulous bursts of eye-popping colour - the aforementioned fuchsia, cobalt blue, bright, bright yellow - set against navy. If anyone's going to presuade me to wear a cape or a djellaba-like overshirt next summer it's Patrick Grant. This show was wonderful, all of it. - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.
PHOTOS: Philip Hollis
10:35 Think the fashion posse may have arrived at E Tautz show...
PHOTO: Telegraph Fashion Instagram
10:30 INTERGALACTIC FANTASTIC AT SIBLING
The heinous 9 o'clock start didn't prevent the 'urban' crowds from flocking to the Sibling show at the hospital club. For those nursing Mr-Porter-party-induced hangovers the event pulled no punches; the soundtrack being a blaring raucous barrage of 70's punk. The anarchic ethos of Sibling was effectively realised by this collection.
Behind you! BFC Chairman Harold Tillman backstage before the Sibling presentation. PHOTO: Reuters
The show was a faceless one, the models wore a variety of fully formed headpieces and looked as if their heads had been replaced by large white or black glittering snowflakes. The knitwear ensembles were either delicately striped with sparkling foil or sporting gold star based prints. The show's intergalactic theme was confirmed by the final model to walk. It might have been due to the early hour but I was convinced I had just seen C3PO. Under the blitz of flash bulbs the headpieces shone but in doing so unfortunately upstaged some carefully crafted ensembles. - George Dennis, The Daily Telegraph
PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
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Just catching up on last night's action. Here's what you missed...
SAVILE ROW OPEN DOORS
The focus of this weekend's activities may be the shows and parties but Savile Row reminded the fashion industry of its long-established contribution to men's style with yesterday evening's Open Doors event. For two hours tailoring houses along the street led press into cutting rooms and fitting rooms, with staff on hand to explain the intricacies and complexities of creating clothing to the Row's standards.
We enjoyed rifling through original patterns for customers such as Gregory Peck and Sir Laurence Olivier (above) in Huntsman and chatting to a busy-at-work tailor stationed mannequin-like in the window of Maurice Sedwell but where was everyone else? In contrast to the popular shows the event was noticeably undersubscribed - was there any competition between Savile Row tailors and others in the men's fashion industry I asked.
More than once workers there gave me the same slightly barbed reply: Savile Row isn't really about fashion - that comes and goes - it's about style - that endures. The masses may have been missing but money was still in evidence, with Maseratis and Bentleys lining the Row and plenty of immaculately attired men in beautiful bespoke suits walking past - presumably looking the business because they do business rather than because they wanted to be snapped for some youngster's fashion blog. - John O'Ceallaigh, London editor, Telegraph.co.uk.
DIB DIB DIB IT'S XANDER ZHOU
A collection titled "Fleurdelism" generates high, 'herbaceous' expectations. Derived from 'fleur-de-lis', a stylised lily that often appears as a symbol on heraldic coats of arms and also prominently features in the World Scout emblem, Xander Zhou did not pick the collection's name on a whim. Blossoming down the catwalk were natty bomber jackets of quilt and silk, while their longer companions offered a drawstring waist. Silhouettes generally embraced movement, with Zhou clearly channeling his outdoor inspiration into the 'stylised' cuts.
But if the blurb and chirpy woodland notes played upon entrance suggested Cub Scout chic, these cubs were of the most genteel clan on the block. Crisp whites flowed into lilac and earthy colour palettes, while a couple of tattooed dungarees wearers were thrown in the mix for the ultimate scout-gone-bad image. With platform, attitude-ridden shoes juxtaposed with crisply ironed neckerchiefs ripe for the picking, this was every Girl Guide's dream. - Alice Newbold, fashion.telegraph.co.uk
I'M NOT A MODEL, I'M A FREE MAN!
PHOTO: Luke Leitch
SUPERFLY AT SUPERDRY + TIMOTHY EVEREST?
Question: when is it OK to ask a mean-looking model to stand without refreshment for two hours, all in front of a fashion crowd glugging lovely Asahi beer (I didn't check if it was Superdry) - and give him a shotgun? Answer, from, company co-founder James Holder: "When the guns are all decommissioned, and they are, so it's fine."
The shotgun was one of the props at Superdry's launch of its Timothy Everest collaboration last night. This label, as nobody can not have noticed, has been one of British fashion's biggest recent success stories. So naturally, in typical British fashion, it has taken a bit of a too-big-for-its-boots knocking recently and the once ker-ching arc of its share price has dipped considerably.
PHOTOS: Philip Hollis
Personally, I'm superwry about Superdry - who isn't sick of those pseudo-Japanese graphics and the inescapable ubiquity of its shoulder branded jackets? I wasn't really expecting to think much of this collection at all.
But... it's great. Tweedy, country-style jackets with buttoned pockets, satin lapelled black suits and 1970's cop woollen dogtooth's are the order of the day here... with no graphics. Holder, who has something slightly Simon Pegg-ish about him, conceded cheerily enough that all has not been entirely superfly at Superdry of late, then said: "What is incredible, remember, is that less than 10 years ago this company was just me and another bloke sharing a computer. We've learned a lot and made some mistakes, of course, but we've had 20 years growth in ten years. We really haven't scratched womenswear at all, we're just now getting good at denim - that's going to go major league for autumn/winter '12 - so there are all these areas we haven't scratched the surface of yet. We've been fantastic at graphics, brilliant at jackets: now it's time to do all these other areas properly. For spring/summer 13 the collection coming is so mind-blowing its going to change everyone's perception of the brand."- Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
SPENCER HART AND THE CASE OF THE TOP TELLY STAR
PHOTO: Chris Pledger
Benedict Cumberbatch, the actor best known for his BBC portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, was last night reinvented as a cigar-chomping playboy on the catwalk of London fashion week. Cumberbatch and the former England Rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio closed the collection at Spencer Hart wearing black dressing gowns and pyjamas. The show - which refreshingly featured not only male models but women too, plus a troupe of dancers - was one of the highlights of the first of this three days men's fashion jamboree. Backstage Cumberbatch, a first-time model, said: "I've never done anything like that before - it was nerve-wracking. You have to think of a character and I went for Hugh Hefner, with the cigar and whisky." The pinstripe-besuited blonde model on Cumberbatch's arm contributed to that Hefner-esque air too.- Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
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FRIDAY JUNE 15
17:00 The sun comes out at YMC
Watercolour post card images of tropical islands are projected onto screens along the catwalk and there is exotic birdsong from the speakers. Spring / summer 2013 has a distinctly holiday feel at YMC with a continuation of those island prints we've come to love from this excellent British brand. They appear on polo shirts, tailored jackets and jumpers in a subdued colour palette. There were also collegiate elements - wide striped jersey Jackets that hinted towards the Ivy League. While the opening section of the show was dominated by a soft shade of lemon - in light cotton trousers, shorts and raincoats, the finale was a series of more challenging leopard print pieces - from polos and parkas to T-shirts and baseball caps. These aside, this is a hugely wearable collection, one of the strongest of the day, and one that I suspect will appeal most to men who have an interest in clothes but are happy to leave the fashion behind. - David Nicholls, Design Editor, The Telegraph Magazine.
PHOTO: @mrporterlive / Twitter
16:50 AN OMG OUTSIDE YMC
Check out the bad-boys on this chap's feet...
PHOTO: David Nicholls
16:35 OLIVER SENCER HAS A RUSSIAN MODERNIST MOMENT
Beards (and mankles) were much in evidence on the catwalk today at Oliver Spencer, a designer who likes his models a bit menacing looking. The clothes were altogether less rugged than we've maybe come to expect of him, however, the silhouette being cleaner than of late. Ditto the palette, which majored on navies and neutrals punctuated by great blocks of vibrant colour such as Majorelle blue, emerald green, berry red and mustard (the whole lot inspired, apparently, by the work of the Russian modernists and the abstract painter Ben Nicholson). Speaking backstage, Spencer said he was particularly proud of his reworked parka, a more fitted affair with a high waisted back and single deep vent. Me, I really, really loved the jodhpur-style trousers in a thick canvassy cream cotton buttoned at the ankles, but then I wouldn't say no to any of it.
PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
PS. As for Spencer's "star" model, Gordon Richardson, the design director at Topman (see below): he made a very good job of modelling a natty navy suit, comprising a jacket with a broadish shoulder and side-adjusters. But Gordon, you've really got to work on looking mean and moody if you're going to make it... - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.
16:30 ALEXA GOES POSTAL
Alexa Chung is so everywhere at London Collections: Men. Martine Rose, Oliver Spencer, Topman Design - and even on top of the pillar box on the corner of Savile Row and Burlington Gardens. She was there to add a bit of YSL-shod Chungy-lustre to a shoot of the street's sharpest tailoring talent. Because she's doing some gig with the British Fashion Council she can't talk about the shows, she said - sigh - but did confirm that she's booked in between 10pm and 11pm to DJ at the Mr Porter/Jimmy Choo/Esquire party at the Corinthia Hotel. "I've got to go home and burn some CD's," she said. Now the Savile Row Open House event has just started. Most of the houses on "The Row" have thrown open their doors and workrooms to all-comers. The street is packed. For the first time in years there appears to be more people on Savile Row than there are adolescent tourists queueing outside Abercrombie and Fitch around the corner.
PHOTO: @lizmathewspr/ Twitter
16:15 SKORT SHRIFT
Could this be the first sighting on our streets of a pair of "skorts", aka the shorts-skirt hybrid for men, aka a coming trend (allegedly) in men's fashion? Spotted on Shan Temuri, a stylist, after Oliver Spencer's show. He assures me they're actually shorts "but flared". I'm not so sure. Anyway, the whole get up is by Comme des Garcons, with the exception of his chiffony cape thing at the back, which you can't see. And check out the peroxide eyebrows! - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.
15:25 HUNKS IN TRUNKS A-GO-GO AT ORLEBAR BROWN
Providing the dishiest model of the day so far, men's swimwear brand Orlebar Brown hosted a presentation in their swanky new store just of Regent Street. Season after season the label provides chic trucks - as favoured by James Bond - which sit somewhere in between budgie-smugglers and board shorts. The new collection saw wicker prints in various colour ways and geometrics courtesy of the David Hicks archives. Continuing to see a rise in sales of the shorter swimming trunks, the label is hoping to banish badly dressed Brits from beaches worldwide. This season Orlebar Brown is pursuing a natural progression into sportswear, with natty shorts that fold away into the smallest of bags, sweatshirts in every colour under the sun and all-weather kagools. Unfortunately during Team Telegraph's appointment, the eye-catching model had donned pieces from the sportswear collection. Orlebar Brown, next time please may we have more hunks in trunks? - Sophie Warburton, stylist coordinator, The Daily Telegraph.
PHOTO: Phillip Hollis
15:20 WE SPY A LOVELY NECK TIE
By Labour & Wait if you must know. 10 style points.
15:10 IN THE MOOD FOR ABBOUD
Citing London as the best fashion city for men, Bernardo Rojo, the creative director of American brand, Joseph Abboud very much felt like he was coming home. 'I took my first design job in London' explained Rojo but although presenting here he stayed true to the US based brand's roots. Hosting a salon-style show in the Bar Américain, Abboud presented a collection of slick sportswear in a colour palette of red, white and blue (with a little black thrown in for good measure). Post-show, the designer referenced pretty much every man's idol, James Dean, along with a modern twist courtesy of Ryan Gosling's character in 'Drive'. Models strutted in the runway in polonecks, styled under fitted blazers and shorts, while others wore macs with nipped in waists and slim cut chinos. With a nod to both the 1950's and the 80's the collection covered all bases for the modern man - wearable pieces, in innovative fabrics that can be styled up or down accordingly. Sleek and chic, even the snappiest of dressers could learn a thing or two from Abboud. - Sophie Warburton, stylist coordinator, The Daily Telegraph.
14:50 MIX IT LIKE MARTINE ROSE
Mix three parts bleached denim (oversized, Dexy's Midnight Runners proportions) with one part fake snakeskin, and one part scuba-style neoprene. Scatter in some handprint motifs, get your models to hold old band T-shirts (Pil, Screamadelica). Then top the whole thing with white, bankrobber-style facemasks. Finally bottom it with practical Velcro-strapped action-sandals of a type hitherto seen on any catwalk. Martine Rose was loopy and very niche - but fun. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
PHOTOS: Phillip Hollis
14:40 FIX UP, LOOK SHARP
While you're waiting for the next show to drop, take a look at London editor, John O'Ceallaigh's guide to the emerging stars of Savile Row.
14:15 GOR-BLIMEY!
Backstage at rehearsals for Oliver Spencer show and catch Gordon Richardson, design director at Topman, with his trousers round his ankles, revealing striped jersey trunk knickers. The reason? He begged Oliver for a cameo on the catwalk. This is a picture of him preparing (with trousers on)... - Gareth Wyn Davies, Stella Magazine.
13:40 TOPMAN'S ARTY SPORTY SHOW
When the American graffiti cum neo Expressionist artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is mentioned in the pre-show blurb you have a pretty good idea what to expect. And so Topman Design presented a collection which was heavy on painterly prints which ranged from refined brush strokes, to those of the 'dab and splodge' variety.
Fuchsia, orange, red and various fluoro shades were the mainstay of a collection that included such delights as a Prince of Wales check shorts jumpsuit, and a section of Amercian football aertex crop tops. One genuine highlight was a series of lightweight tailored jackets that had been heavily lasercut. When worn with an underlayer of a different colour, it created a striking polka dot effect through the surface of the jacket. This was by no means a collection designed for an Everyman - the shapes (much of them oversized) were just as challenging as the prints and palette, but Topman Design's core clientele of urban street style youff fashionistas will not be disappointed.- David Nicholls, Design Editor, The Telegrpah Magazine.
PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
13:30 TINIE PROBLEM
13:00 ANOTHER GREEN BEAN HITS THE SCENE
Sir Philip Green and his daughter Chloe we hear from quite regularly, but today the lesser spotted Green - Brandon - put in an appearance at the Topman Design show. Our first question - naturally - was what is he wearing: head-to-toe Topman? "All Topman. Except for the jacket, it's Neil Barrett. I was told to wear Topman but I couldn't find it this morning when I was rumagging." Apparently Brandon rolled out of bed "four minutes" before the Green limo was due to depart. So, as he can put together a look like that in four minutes, does Brandon plan to do a Chloe and design his own line?
"Personally I have no intention of designing. I stick with my dad, I started working with him about a year ago [in the business side of Arcadia]. But obviously as dad says product is the key part of any business, and in fashion, no matter how good you are at the business part you have to be involved in the product too. Topman I think is performing as well as any brand in the high street. Globally across the world Topman is the business in the Arcadia group which is performing hands-down, the best..".
And does he ever get his dad to try and different look? "No - I wouldn't even try!" - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
12:45 WAKE UP CALL
12:30 POCKET ROCKETS
It's all about a pocket square at the moment don't you know? Check out these dapper dan's rocking the shows today. I say!
12:00 COOL MAN LUKE
Luke Day the Editor of GQ Style - and a stylist of some renown - has fully mastered the fashion Rock God look. For those who want to "Steal His Style" Luke's wearing a James Long shirt, various chains (Gucci, Jade Jagger, and a "God" medallion he bought in the church of Browns), plus some Topman Design jeans. Shows at the top of Luke's list are James Long and Martine Rose, plus MAN. He said: "we should all appreciate that without Topman there wouldn't be a London mens' fashion week at all." That suntan he added, not fake: he's just back from holiday. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
11:50 HACKETT GET INTO GREAT GATSBY MODE
PHOTOS: Phillip Hollis
Hackett harked back to a lost, glorious, halcyon age this morning - the time when bankers wore bowlers, carried brollies, and could be trusted. An 18-strong phalanx of models carrying the traditional City accessories and wearing dapper double and single breasted suits - some a bit too loud to be convincingly vintager banker - closed the label's show at the Royal Opera House. Elsewhere, there was a noble and determined push for paisley-printed trousers - a big womenswear trend - to translate into menswear. But I'm not sure about it will succeed. Spanish-owned Hackett usually riffs on Englishness but much of today's collection - the seersucker jackets, baker boy caps, cream lined peaked lapel suits and white brogues - had something a little Great Gatsby-ish about them. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
The finale of city gents at Hackett. PJHOTO: Phillip Hollis
11:40 SOMETHING FOR THE LADIES
You know when a model's really big, because they sit front row instead of pounding the catwalk: David Gandy front row at Hackett.
PHOTO: mrporterlive / Instagram
11:06 SPENCER SOULBOY
Spencer Hart is a show to watch out for this afternoon - Benedict Cumberbatch and womenswear are set for catwalk cameos. Nick Hart said last night his collection this time round is going to be heavily music-influenced, then started reminiscing about competing in Soulboy dance-offs at a nightclub called Crackers. "I was a terrible dancer, though." - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
10:55 LOU DALTON
For spring/summer 2013 Lou Dalton has shifted her focus from the battle fields of WW1 to the playing fields of a very modern age. It was more 'sport luxe' than sportswear however, with a major focus on combining discordant fabrics. Panels of suede were added to cotton shirts. Velvet and jersey are combined on sweat tops. Airtex panels added a pleasing texture to sharply tailored jackets. Tailoring in general was very strong - and heavily structured thanks to a generous use of panelling. Alexa Chung arrived with British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tilman giving us the first front row pap frenzy of London Collections: Men; while swimmer Mark Foster and Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Hollie Johnson were also in attendance. - David Nicholls, Design Editor, The Telegrpah Magazine.
PHOTOS: Chris Pledger
10:45 Is Liam Gallagher the new Paul Smith?
The Oasis... sorry, Beady Eye singer's Beatles/Mod influence brand, Pretty Green, is to open a standalone store in Tokyo next month. He's already got 11 shops in Britain. - Luke Leitch, deputy fashion editor, The Daily Telegraph.
10:30 BREAKFAST WITH STEPHEN WEBSTER
Stephen Webster kicked off the inaugural London Collections: Men shows with a busy-for-9-in-morning breakfast at Hix for his new mens jewellery collection. Called 'Highwayman', it was inspired by his yearly cross-America roadtrips (in his wheels of choice, a rather cool vintage Thunderbird). Hence, necklaces and bracelets centred on roadsigns and rings came as "rotating wheels". A chirpy Webster told Team Telegraph that he was planning on doing another sojourn from Colorado to the Napa Valley this year - "It's the only time I can get away from my family!". His road buddy of choice? "My mechanic!" Sensible man.
Mmmmmmushroom's with creme fraiche at Stephen Webster.
The Red Snapper cocktails (gin and tomato juice and fancy fry-ups served were top notch, but Webster had another trick up his sleeve. Taking to the bar-cum-catwalk, he annouced there was going to be a show. What he didnt tell us was that Martin Kemp, Gary Kemp and Nicky Clarke would be among the models. They goodnaturedly did their best Zoolanders and everyone cheered - although Kemp got rather bashful when we asked for a picture of his best Blue Steel. Clarke and Webster had no such reservations, though - check out their pouts. Early contenders for best BS of the week? - Phong Luu, Fashion Features Co-ordinator, The Daily Telegraph
Stephen Webster and Nicky Clarke pull their best Blue Steels for our camera.
Nicky Clarke, Stephen Webster, Martin Kemp and Gary Kemp strut their stuff. PHOTO: Phillip Hollis
10:00 ALEXA ARRIVES
No London fashion event would be complete without the British Fashion Council's Young Style ambassador, Miss Alexa Chung...
9:50 AND WE"RE OFF!
The first London Collections: Men kicks off proper this morning with... a breakfast. Why is it men can't do anything on an empty stomach? Jeweller Stephen Webster is playing host - more of this later. While we're waiting for the first show to begin (Lou Dalton 10am live streamed above), news has reached our inbox of the first bit of celebrity catwalk action. Sherlock Holmes AKA benedict Cumberbatch, will 'walk' in Spencer Hart's show today at 5pm. Spencer Hart dressed Benedict Cumberbatch for the BAFTA TV awards and the Golden Globes this year. If you're in Benedict's fan club - affectionately known as 'The Cumberbitches', get thee to the Old Selfridges Hotel where you might catch a glimpse of the man himself. Just don't tell him i sent you...
THURSDAY JUNE 14
PRINCE CHARLES: FASHION ICON? ME?
At a reception at St James Palace to officially launch London Collections: Men, Prince Charles batted off suggestions he was a sartorial icon. Luke Leitch went along to meet His Royal Highness and ask the all important question: what are you wearing? Read all about his adventures here...
Prince Charles takes the mic. PHOTO: REX
And here are our favourite pics from the glamorous soiree:
David Walliams meets Charles: "I asked Charles what he wears. He said mostly Primark, but George at Asda too: he likes to mix it up." PHOTO: REX
Tom Ford meets Prince Charles: Who's your tailor? Call me, not that guy next to me... don't call him... don't even look at him... PHOTO: REX
Source: fashion.telegraph.co.uk
Who's going to be our police chief? Sussex voters just don't care - The Guardian
Peter Jones has little doubt what Sussex needs to reduce crime. "We need to give a boot up the backside of the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] and get more people before the courts – they can be so risk-averse it's mind-boggling. It infuriates the public and infuriates the coppers who work their backsides off that the CPS sometimes cannot be bothered to push forward cases."
Jones, the leader of East Sussex county council, hopes he is not merely engaged in wishful thinking. The Birmingham-born politician is outlining what he wants to do if he becomes the county's first police and crime commissioner.
Jones is one of the Conservative hopefuls running for a position that some insist is significantly more powerful than that of MPs and most ministers. In as little as 120 days the Sussex electorate will join the rest of the country and vote for an individual who will acquire a mandate to organise the police budget, prioritise resources and hire and fire chief constables. Jones, from Hastings, is particularly excited about the position's co-ordinating role and is presiding over a slick campaign – "Vote PJ" – to ensure he fulfils his crime-fighting ambitions. Sussex is likely to see more offenders in prison should Vote PJ gain traction.
The one sticking point that worries even those going for the job is the apparent loss of interest by the government in what was touted as one of David Cameron's flagship policies and one of the most important police reforms of recent years.
In Haywards Heath, close to the geographic centre of Sussex, public apathy towards the role of commissioner is overwhelming. "I haven't heard of any of them," said Brenda Griffin, 65, when shown a list of the candidates on the Sussex shortlist. Not one of 30 people asked on the town's main artery, South Road, recognised a single candidate. Nine out of 10 people were unfamiliar with the profound changes to policing that will shortly take place.
Anthony Kimber, a 65-year-old retired army officer from Rye, is also in the running, but perturbed by the apparent lack of government input. "The problem is that the government has become involved in other policing issues, this has slipped onto the back burner.
"The government has not allocated any money upfront. It's offered a website and I do tweeting [118 followers at the time of writing] but there is not a lot of publicity. I know party members who have not been officially told of my candidacy, which is disappointing."
Nonetheless Kimber has set out a detailed manifesto for his plans as commissioner. Anyone in Sussex guilty of antisocial behaviour should, he warns, watch out. His priority is creating an intelligence base of all incidents and people involved in low-level crime and disturbances.
"I would take the sort of approach seen in New York and California, really focus effort and intelligence on the problem, work out whether it's troublesome families the government is talking about or if it's mobile groups of youngsters. I believe that with serious effort and a targeted approach we would get to the bottom of it: who the culprits are, where they do it, and why they do it."
Kimber talks enthusiastically about landing the £85,000-a-year job and working with the current chief constable and community partnerships to eradicate antisocial behaviour throughout the county's 4,000 square kilometres.
There are at least 10 candidates vying for the role. Sussex has produced more Tory candidates than almost anywhere else (six) and a Conservative commissioner is favourite to prevail as voting patterns are predicted to reflect party lines. All must outline how they will revolutionise a police service that must lay off 1,050 staff and make savings of £50m over the next three years.
Another Tory candidate is a successful Arundel businessman and local councillor, Paul Dendle, who perhaps controversially seeks a moratorium on the government's steps towards privatising police roles. "You should delay privatisation until you reform and reduce inefficiency, otherwise you are locking in inefficiency for the length of the contract, which is a waste of public money. A lot of private companies are rubbing their hands because they know how inefficient it is," says Dendle, whose website features police minister Nick Herbert on the streets of Sussex.
Dendle's big idea is "lean systems thinking" based on the Toyota car production model in Japan, which involves asking frontline workers for their input to boost morale and improve efficiency.
Other Tory candidates include the director of a funeral firm, a former Metropolitan police chief inspector whose attempt to become Britain's first Chinese MP failed during the last elections, and the only woman candidate – district councillor and entrepreneur Katy Bourne, who chairs the Conservative Women's Organisation.
Labour is fielding two hopefuls, with the preferred candidate unveiled on Monday following a ballot by party members. Hastings councillor Godfrey Daniel is pledging to tackle antisocial behaviour, hate crime and domestic violence.
He, too, is worried that the process could be undermined by apathy. "Low public engagement is a worry. It's important that people know what they are going to vote for, otherwise the elected candidate could be quite scary."
Daniel is competing against Paul Richards, 44, of Eastbourne, a special adviser to two Labour cabinet ministers who has twice unsuccessfully stood for parliament and is the author of How to Win an Election. All have their work cut out if they want to fire the imagination of the Sussex public.
"I'll vote for anyone who lowers my council tax," said one Haywards Heath mother, unaware that tax is one of the powers that will elude the incumbent. Nicola Smith, 74, who has lived in the town for 35 years, wanted to see a detailed CV of all hopefuls before she even considered choosing.
Next month, Sussex Conservative party members will meet to choose their preferred candidate. They must hope the electorate match their enthusiasm.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Waving all the flags! London's Regents Street bedecked in national colours ahead of Olympics after ditching the Jubilee Union Flags - Daily Mail
Flying the flag: (Front row, left to right) Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, North Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, (second row) Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, (third row) Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, (fourth row) Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, (fifth row) Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, (sixth row) Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, (seventh row) Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macau, Madagascar, (eighth row) Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
London 2012: Great Britain face Aussie challenge in Munich - BBC News
Two of Britain's top Olympic gold medal prospects must overcome strong Australian challenges at the Rowing World Cup on Sunday.
The British men's four, unbeaten heading into Munich, were edged out by Australia for first place in Saturday's semi-finals.
World champions Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins remain unbeaten going into the women's double final.
However, Australia's Kim Crow and Brooke Pratley qualified fastest.
Crow and Pratley will race the Britons for the first time on Sunday. The Australians are making their 2012 debut after Pratley missed the start of the season through injury. In her absence, Crow raced in the single and qualified for an Olympic place in that discipline.
Pete Reed's guide to the Team GB's coxless four
Australian selectors must decide after Munich - the final competition before London - whether to keep the duo in the double scull at the Olympics and forego a place in the single, or split them up and draft in a replacement alongside Pratley.
Andrew Triggs Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James and Alex Gregory managed to hold off the Australian four's challenge in Lucerne last month but there are signs that the gap is closing. Sunday's final will be the true test.
"Let's see what happens tomorrow," said Triggs Hodge. "We had a good race today, better than yesterday, and every race feels like part of a progression."
Great Britain will have 14 finalists across 12 Olympic class events in Munich following Saturday's semi-finals.
Lightweight double scull Olympic and world champions Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter are looking to recover from finishing sixth last time out, and showed positive signs as they won their semi.
Purchase and Hunter held off the impressive new French pairing of Stany Delayre and Jeremie Azou, winners of the previous World Cup regatta, and will face them again on Sunday along with long-time rivals Storm Uru and Peter Taylor of New Zealand.
Great Britain's Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, unbeaten this season in the women's pair, saw off Romania to win their heat on Friday and qualify directly for Sunday's final, where they will face world champions Juliette Haigh and Rebecca Scown of New Zealand among others.
Team GB named 48 rowers in the squad for London last week, with four more to be added, and Munich provides one more chance for those in the balance to put their case.
The men's and women's eights are still to have their crews confirmed.
In the Paralympic class finals, Britain's world champion mixed adaptive coxed four - Pam Relph, Naomi Riches, Dave Smith, James Roe and cox Lily van den Broecke - won gold after coming from behind to beat Germany in a nail-biting finish.
"That was definitely one of our best performances," said Roe.
"We have never had to come from behind with 250m to go. Obviously, we have practised that in training but we've never had to use it."
Andy Houghton won bronze in the arms-only single scull final - but he was not satisfied.
"I'm really disappointed with that," said Houghton, who had leg muscle spasms throughout.
"I just wanted a good run at it today as my times in training are comparable with these guys, the medallists."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Matrimonial sites becoming new crime spot - Times of India
In the last one year, Cyber Crime sleuths recorded two cases where con artistes successfully used matrimonial sites to dupe people. The recently arrested B Tech graduate B Ravi Kishore duped 54 women by posing as an IIT graduate with a Master's degree from University of California.
His predecessor, V Deepti Reddy, who was arrested by CID sleuths in 2011, lured high earning professionals by posing as an MBBS graduate. "Though there are many such instances, only a handful of the victims approach the police as the media attention might further dampen their chances of getting a suitable partner," a CID official said.
CID sleuths who investigated both these cases found striking similarities in the modus operandi of the two criminals and the profiles of their victims. The victims in both these cases were high earning professionals, mostly software engineers, doctors, architects and management professionals.
Despite being well educated, none of the victims bothered to verify the genuineness of the profiles of the accused and police believe that the not so easily available 'suitable' partner is the reason behind it. The victims were blinded by the polished English and well respected professional life of the accused.
"Kishore, who worked in a BPO earlier, used to talk to the victims with an American accent. So, the victims never bothered to cross check his claims of being a Microsoft employee with degrees from IIT Mumbai and University of California," CID additional SP, U Ram Mohan, said.
To further push the victims into trusting him, Kishore always used to travel in a hired AC cab and meet the victims at five star hotels only. "In reality, Kishore used to share a flat with some others at Miyapur in the city outskirts and he just had two pairs of formal wear," the investigating officer said. None of the 54 women whom he befriended through his profile on the matrimonial site knew his actual residential address but he successfully exploited 22 of them.
Same was the case with Deepti Reddy who borrowed money from just over 20 people by befriending them through her doctor profile on a matrimonial site. Deepti was already married twice before she posted her profile on the website and she has two children, police said. Deepti took lakhs of rupees from several of her prospective grooms, whom she never met personally, by saying that the money is for performing surgeries on poor children.
As there are lakhs of educated youth registered on these matrimonial sites, CID sleuths have suggested some steps to identify such con artistes:
Always verify the profile details of the individual before becoming close to that person. Employment verification can be easily done by calling up the concerned company or by paying a personal visit.
Don't give money to people with whom you become friends through online profiles even if they emotionally blackmail you.
Do not indulge in online chatting, dating or get emotionally involved with people without verifying the truthfulness of their claims.
None of the victims bothered to verify the genuineness of the profiles of the accused and police believe that the not so easily available 'suitable' partner is the reason behind it.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Bogus traders warning to West Sussex flood victims - BBC News
People affected by severe flooding in West Sussex are being warned against falling victim to rogue traders.
West Sussex County Council said trading standards had received reports of cold callers offering to carry out repairs to damaged properties in Littlehampton.
"Whenever an emergency of this nature occurs, it seems to bring unscrupulous traders out of the woodwork," said Councillor Christine Field.
The council said it had a list of approved and reputable builders.
"If you do need emergency work done to your property, ignore the claims of bogus callers if they turn up at your door," said Ms Field.
On Saturday, only two flood alerts remained across the whole of South East England, with six flood warnings and alerts lifted by the Environment Agency (EA) in the last 24 hours.
However, it said further rain could lead to more flooding in areas already vulnerable.
Butlins blockedThe EA set up an incident command centre at Bracklesham Lane car park in Bracklesham Bay to co-ordinate its response after many hundreds of people were affected by flooding.
About 250 homes in Elmer were flooded, with residents rescued by boat and taken to rest centres and temporary accommodation.
More than 20 people, including several children, were rescued from flooded caravans at two holiday parks in Bracklesham Bay and flood waters also reached the Manorfield care home in Earnley.
Havens' Church Farm holiday camp, near Chichester, was also flooded and access roads to Butlins in Bognor Regis were closed.
Worthing Hospital's basement and lift shaft was flooded, several schools and one college were shut and many roads were impassable.
An emergency channel had to be dug through sea defences to release flood waters and firefighters used pumps to lower river levels.
Arun District Council officers are continuing to staff a flood recovery vehicle to give advice to residents.
It is stationed in Elmer's shopping area on Saturday until 21:00 BST.
It will be in South Terrace, Littlehampton on Sunday, in Barnham near the railway station on Monday, Wick on Tuesday and South Bersted on Wednesday.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
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