He never had much of a chance to talk about it during his administration, but here is former US president, George W. Bush, championing corporate social responsibility as he promotes his book, Decision Points. We also never thought we would have in the same sentence: Bush, Facebook and California, but here we are: as part of his book tour, Bush is at Facebook HQ in the California Bay Area being interviewed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and general counsel Ted Ullyot on Monday.
   Bush also talks about accessible leadership, creative tension and a participatory culture in the White House. He also displays some of his good humour, relaying a story early on in the below video about President Putin outdoing his American counterpart with the size of his dog, leading Prime Minister Harper of Canada to say, ‘At least he only showed you his dog.’
   Bush speaks highly of Bono, of whom he was suspicious initially. He compliments the musician on his deep knowledge of national budgets and his real desire to aid humanity.
   His interviewers refrain from questioning him on the Iraq war initially, though Bush himself states that he agrees with President Obama’s increase of troops to Afghanistan. However, in the second half of the segment, Bush is asked about his foreign policy decisions.
   The last few minutes of the interview are devoted to humorous questions about impersonation, the Cowboys, and the Giants.

TECO

Top Simply Paris‘s Pascal Chivot receives his Chevalier dans l’ordre du mérite agricole from French Ambassador HE Michel Legras. Above Chefs from Taiwan treat Wellingtonians to a taste of the island’s unique cuisine.

Pascal Chivot is probably Wellington’s favourite pastry chef. His Simply Paris shops on Cuba Street and Riddiford Street, Newtown, are famous among all Wellingtonians: the former for the pastries, cakes that are made to the world-class standard that saw him honoured by the French Government in early September.
   M. Chivot was awarded the Chevalier dans l’ordre du mérite agricole (National Order of Agricultural Merit) by the French Ambassador, HE Michel Legras.
   The ceremony was punctuated by M. Chivot’s daughter rushing up during the official part, and the newly awarded chef was perhaps quite flustered as he abandoned the delivery of his written speech in favour of a few heartfelt comments.
   A letter from the Mayor, Kerry Prendergast, was read out to the audience, and I was honoured that the Ambassador noted that there was at least a Francophone mayoral candidate in the room—yours truly.
   One mayor and one ambassador later, Wellington was treated to another diplomatic–culinary do as the Taiwanese Economic and Cultural Office invited members of the diplomatic corps, Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon, Ms Prendergast and members of her family, and other guests to sample the foods of Taiwan at a special two-day function at Whitby’s Restaurant at the James Cook Hotel, entitled A Taste of Taiwanese Flavours.
   This November function saw chefs being flown out from the island to demonstrate cuisine distinctive to Taiwan. One talented chef made figurines out from coloured flour, which caught the attention of the younger diners; while overall, we were served a unique (at least for Wellington) dinner hosted by the Republic of China’s representative to New Zealand, HE Charles Tsai.


Above Figurines made from coloured flour at A Taste of Taiwanese Flavours.

   Finally, after a bit of prompting from the Museum Hotel‘s owner, Chris Parkin, and a guided tour by Aleisha Penny on his staff, I visited the newly refurbished Hippopotamus bar. Michael Nalder, whom I used to present with (in separate segments) on Good Morning those many years ago, was responsible for sourcing the sumptuous materials, which were very impressive. The usual services are there: bar, restaurant and the Museum Hotel’s increasingly popular high tea, plus a new private dining room added opposite to the lifts.—Jack Yan, Publisher

Above The newly refurbished Hippopotamus Bar at the Museum Hotel, with famed interior designer Michael Nalder contributing to the look.

Supermodel Kate Moss seems to be doing more marketing for her latest fragrance, Vintage Muse, than she had for past scents bearing her name.
   First it was a visit to the Coty factory; now she has popped in to Boots Sedley Place in Clapham to perform her first exclusive fragrance signing.
   Moss, 36, signed bottles of Kate Moss Vintage Muse and met members of the public shopping at Boots.
   She also judged a competition for the best Vintage Look inspired by her fragrance, with the winner taking home £500 of shopping vouchers.
   Vintage Muse has the musky scent favoured by Moss, but has plum, rhubarb and blackcurrant in its top notes. Heart notes are made up of peony, purple violet and tiger orchid; base notes feature white musk, ambergris and chocolate.

Above Alison Parker, Tina Johnson and Lauren Mitchell.

TAFE Sydney’s Fashion Design Studio’s 2010 end-of-year parades were held on November 17 at the Carriageworks, featuring over 100 outfits from all three stages of the Studio’s course.
   The judges of the competition—designers Marnie Skillings, Gary Bigeni, Friedrich Gray’s Ben Pollitt, and the (Australian) Sunday Telegraph fashion editor Prue Lewington awarded Kaitlin Lanser first place in the coveted Dylon Dyes competition, for her innovative garment adapted from the works of Klimt.
   Jessica Cervonaro (stage two) received a mentorship with David Lawrence, and Rachel Zuch (stage one) was awarded the Marcs award.
   In the audience were Dion Lee, Nicky Zimmermann, Luke Sales, Konstantina Mittas, Clare Press and Josh Flinn (Australia’s Next Top Model).
   The Fashion Design Institute’s alumni include Alex Perry, Nicky Zimmermann, Akira, Lisa Ho and Dion Lee.

Left Michael Baily and Lucinda Constable. Right Gary Bigeni, Nicholas Huxley and Marnie Skillings.

Left Sarah Conroy and Konstantina Mittas. Right Marnie Skillings, Clare Molesworth and Gary Bigeni.

Left Michael Baily and Lucinda Constable. Right Mitch Wright and Luke Sales.

Above Holly Costello-Luke, Josh Flinn and Maja Kotala. Below Sam Hazelton, James Wright, Emily Walters and Akira Gartoni.

This article is sponsored by American Express.

Related story: Ryanair launches 2012 cabin crew calendar

It’s becoming a more regular idea now: if you’re a flight attendant and your airline is in trouble, then get your kit off and print a calendar.
   Weeks after the annual Ryanair calendar—which, this year, was more toned down compared to the 2010 edition—a group of former Mexicana Airlines attendantshas launched its 2011 calendar.
   However, the aeromozas’ posing might lead them to continue being out of work, according to their union, which claims that they have broken its rules.
   Mexicana filed for bankruptcy and suspended its operations in August. The 10 flight attendants who appear in the calendar are out of work.
   Mexicana may resume flights next month, but with 30 per cent of its original staff numbers.
   There was little outcry in México over objectification or political incorrectness.
   The only controversy is the possibility that the women will not be rehired because they have broken the rules of the Asociación Sindical de Sobrecargos de Aviación, their union, according to its secretary-general Lizette Clavel.
   The fiight attendants say that as they are unemployed and that the Mexicana logo has not been used on any image, the rules of the union do not apply.
   They have also posed with swimwear, albeit suggestively.
   The notable difference between the Mexicana and Ryanair calendars is that the later one is self-funded. The flight attendants put in their own savings to get the first 1,000 published and printed—at a cost of MEX$100,000 (US$8,000).
   The calendar is the brainchild of Coral Perez, who told the Associated Press: ‘We needed the money.’ She and some of her colleagues appear in the YouTube video below.
   A Facebook page was set up to promote the calendar.
   The first 1,000 were already sold out before the launch on Thursday. A second printing of 3,000 is currently being organized.
   Each calendar costs MEX$149 (c. US$12).
   The flight attendants have become fleeting celebrities in México, performing autograph-signings at launch parties covered by the local media.
   The idea is not new. Earlier this year, Air Comet, the bankrupted Spanish airline, saw its flight attendants pose for a calendar, although with more nudity, after they were out of work. That calendar sold for a more expensive €15.

Twenty-Seven Names

Blak Luxe

Salasai

The DHL Express Fashion Export Scholarship has announced its three finalists, one of whom will win international freight to the value of NZ$10,000, plus coaching in freight and logistics, mentoring, and a membership subscription to Fashion Industry New Zealand.
   Blak Luxe, Salasai and Twenty-Seven Names are the newest recruits to join an already impressive list of DHL past nominees and winners.
   Stolen Girlfriends’ Club and Lonely Hearts are previous winners. DHL has also introduced the programme into Australia, where Bec & Bridge was the first recipient.
   Eligible designers must have sold offshore for less than four years. Applicants had to provide a design portfolio and key trading figures, as well as an export and marketing strategy for their product over the next 12 months.
   The judging panel this year featured: iconic New Zealand fashion designer Kate Sylvester; Erica Crawford, co-founder of Kim Crawford Wines; FINZ executive officer Mapihi Opai; and strategic account manger (fashion) for DHL Express New Zealand, Linda Turner.
   The winner is announced December 6.

Above Remember this? Supermodel Naomi Campbell (far right) representing in a PETA ad that she would rather go naked than wear fur—a claim that she seems to have reversed on this year.

Sofia Hedstrom, in the Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet, notes that the use of fur is on the rise.
   Designers including Jean-Paul Gaultier and Karl Lagerfeld have been using fur in recent collections, spurred on by support from the likes of Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfield. Models who once said they would rather go naked than wear fur are reversing their decisions.
   Our thought: this won’t do, because there are better ways.
   Stefan Engeseth, in his blog today, notes:

An animal that has no way to escape is a dangerous animal. …
   I would argue that this is extremely bad taste, in a time when Mother Nature is threatened—what will [the] next fashion be? Dress in the latest polar bear? This arrogance will only make consumers believe that the fashion industry is shallow, with no understanding of ethics …
   If supporters of animal rights feel that they are being given the finger, they could strike back in a way that could be nasty.
   I am not advocating that we undertake desperate actions. But an animal that has no escape will, as a survival instinct, strike back. And there is a parallel there with what the fashion industry is doing …

   He is right: in an age where we expect brands to be socially responsible, the continued use of fur goes against a far more aware and wired population.
   It’s as though some brands and some of our colleagues in the media believe they have the power or position to ignore public opinion.
   There might be exceptions such as possum fur, the animals poisoned in the quest to protect flora and fauna and to reverse humankind’s earlier decision in introducing a pest. But even that exception is too much for some animal rights’ advocates.
   Of course we believe people must be gainfully employed, but those in the fur trade need to reposition themselves.
   For every industry that falls foul of changing tastes, a new one arises. Opposition to them comes from those who feel it is too troubling to shift, usually within certain organizations that have become institutionalized.
   I am reminded of the creator of the waterless urinal—not the most pleasant analogy, but the device is one that ultimately saves water.
   The greatest opposition to the device, in the United States, has come from plumbers’ unions—though it’s possible for that industry to adapt. At some stage, the tipping-point will come and the two technologies will coexist for a time, before one becomes the victor.
   Even at a personal level, my own father’s trade as an electronic technician became more or less obsolete as manufacturers put out cheaper goods—and parts that were often more expensive than the gadgets themselves.
   He is in retirement age today, drawing his pension, but he only went into this trade when he retrained in his late 30s. His previous gig was a mail-order business which became reliant on American soldiers’ trade during the Vietnam War. It was too niche a customer base.
   We all need to adapt, and we need to be reminded of these commercial lessons.
   Many consumers are shifting from fur. Definitely not all, but among our readers there has always been a sizeable anti-fur group.
   I’m one of those who dislike fur—that much has been reported elsewhere—and it has meant we’ve provided free promotion of animal rights’ and animal welfare organizations in our pages.
   Faux and vintage fur, in our eyes, are perfectly acceptable alternatives in the twenty-first century. The tipping-point may have already come, certainly among younger fashion consumers, which makes the continued advocacy of fur, and the hundreds of millions of animals killed for it, seem rather twentieth-century.—Jack Yan, Publisher

Iconic kiwi swimwear label Moontide has decided to do things a little bit differently to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
   Instead of a usual catwalk show or launch, it has collaborated with the hottest act in New Zealand music right now: R&B–hip-hop singer–songwriter J. Williams.
   Moontide is featured in Williams’ new single ‘Night of Your Life’, worn by the main female character in the video. The video opens with stunning model Grace Hobson as she slips into a dream, in which she appears wearing one of the latest Moontide swimwear, a cheeky and chic two-piece polka dot bikini. The item is a sure-fire to turn heads this summer, if it can turn J. Williams’ head.
   Innovative designs and with over 50 new styles, eight new base clothes and the introduction of cup sizing from A ­to G means you are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to your swimwear.
   Colour a-plenty with mink, mint, raspberry, indigo, purple, and turquoise, as well as classic black and white. The new collection also features a mix of glamorous, elegant designs along with some sexy cheeky printed numbers to bring some fun into your Kiwi summer.—Sopheak Seng