Above Scarlett Johansson in an unaired commercial for Sodastream.

Oxfam, which has been under pressure to sever its ties with Scarlett Johansson after she became the spokeswoman for Sodastream, confirmed that it no longer has the actress as a goodwill ambassador.
   Johansson, who has worked with Oxfam since 2005, issued an earlier statement about her departure.
   ‘She and Oxfam have a fundamental difference of opinion in regards to the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. She is very proud of her accomplishments and fundraising efforts during her tenure with Oxfam,’ her statement read.
   Sodastream, which is part-owned by Israeli interests, has a factory in a settlement in the West Bank. Oxfam opposes goods produced by Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories.
   Oxfam stated, ‘Oxfam has accepted Scarlett Johansson’s decision to step down after eight years as a Global Ambassador and we are grateful for her many contributions.
   ‘While Oxfam respects the independence of our ambassadors, Ms Johansson’s role promoting the company Sodastream is incompatible with her role as an Oxfam Global Ambassador.
   ‘Oxfam believes that businesses, such as Sodastream, that operate in settlements further the ongoing poverty and denial of rights of the Palestinian communities that we work to support.
   ‘Oxfam is opposed to all trade from Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law. Ms Johansson has worked with Oxfam since 2005 and in 2007 became a Global Ambassador, helping to highlight the impact of natural disasters and raise funds to save lives and fight poverty.’
   Activists had been quick to seize on the Sodastream campaign after it became public on January 13.
   Previously, Johansson had stated, ‘Sodastream is a company that is not only committed to the environment but to building a bridge to peace between Israel and Palestine, supporting neighbours working alongside each other, receiving equal pay, equal benefits and equal rights. That is what is happening in their Ma’ale Adumim factory every working day. As part of my efforts as an ambassador for Oxfam, I have witnessed first-hand that progress is made when communities join together and work alongside one another and feel proud of the outcome of that work in the quality of their product and work environment, in the pay they bring home to their families and in the benefits they equally receive.’
   An advertisement for Sodastream will air during the Super Bowl in the US this Sunday, starring Johansson.
   Sodastream CEO Daniel Birnbaum told the Forward that he would not have located a plant in the settlement himself. He became CEO after the plant had been established in the 1990s, but said he would not close it due to his 500 Palestinian employees, who could not work at another plant on the other side of the Green Line. ‘We will not throw our employees under the bus to promote anyone’s political agenda,’ he said.
   Birnbaum also stressed that if a Palestinian state comes into being, his company would be happy to remain there and pay taxes to the new state.

Oriflame

Our good friend Stefan Engeseth, author of Detective Marketing, Sharkonomics and One: a Consumer Revolution for Business, recently gave a presentation to Oriflame, the Luxembourgeois cosmetics’ group.
   Engeseth usually styles One in all capitals—he has done ever since his book came out in 2006, and frequently gives presentations based around his titles. In our work for a related company to Lucire, we have espoused this title a lot, too, in our dealings, and credited Engeseth accordingly.
   So it was quite fascinating to see Oriflame since come out with a new campaign, called The One, with the second word also in all caps, in the wake of the presentation. And it’s used another Swede to promote it: Elin Kling.
   It makes sense. Engeseth’s One can be summarized thus: forget “them and us” when it comes to consumer relations, and try to be on the same side as your customer. Learn about what matters to them, and side with them. That helps build engagement and loyalty, and those are the drivers of your business performance in the 21st century.
   The information that has come out of Resumé, Sweden’s leading advertising and marketing newspaper, mirrors the Engeseth One approach.
   Oriflame is gearing up to the largest launch in its history and Kling becomes its main ambassador. The concept behind The One: a group of influential trend-setters who are linked to the launch of a new make-up brand of the same name.
   Kling has spent years building up her blog to be one of the most successful worldwide and often takes the stance of being “one” with her readers. It’s a formula that many other bloggers use, and it has come naturally as the blogosphere developed. Companies have seen fit to use these connections in the latter part of the previous decade. Kling has been the face of other campaigns where there is a formal agreement for a blogger to be a spokesperson.
   Her own magazine launched on the basis of the strong loyalty she had from her blog.
   She stated in a release, ‘It is an honour to be the global ambassador for Oriflame, a company that I really admire for its values and knowledge in beauty. I look forward to inspire Oriflame customers worldwide by sharing with you my creativity and expertise.’
   In other words, if you follow her already, either online or through her publication, you can feel “one” with her and—the theory goes—see Oriflame as a beauty brand that’s already on your side.
   If it is as good as the manufacturers claim, that’s a positive thing. It’s also a good way to battle some of the larger budgets Oriflame might encounter, and they are betting a lot on this one which appears to engage social media. It could be just right for the mid-2010s.—Jack Yan, Publisher

Above Author Stefan Engeseth photographed in New Zealand.

The Body Shop is getting in for this Valentine’s Day with its new White Musk Smoky Rose scent which adds to its cruelty-free White Musk range. This sensual scent includes fused scents of bergamot, pink pepper, and blackcurrant.
   White Musk Smoky Rose is available as the pure eau de parfum and eau de toilette as well as many other cheaper options. There are the White Musk Smoky Rose body lotion, bath and shower gel and fragrance mist, suiting all budgets—prices start at NZ$25 for the gel and finish at NZ$56 for the eau de parfum.
   The White Musk Smoky Rose exudes youth and floral sweetness with a note of aqua. To us, it evokes a sense of a fresh summer breeze and a fresh teen romance, with school-day memories and associated nostalgia. Head down to the Body Shop and give the scent a test to see what memories it draws for you.—Anna Deans

This week’s look is inspired by one of my all-time favourite movies, Almost Famous. I have focused in particular on the lead female character, Penny Lane, played by Kate Hudson. This movie sprung to my mind after seeing, in my opinion, the horrific Grammy red-carpet dresses this week. I pine the loss of the rocker age where style was so funky, eclectic and glam in a low-key way, not a try-hard way. The Grammys represent today’s musicians, and Almost Famous takes a look into the music scene in the ’60s. The movie follows a young writer touring with a rock band who is finding their success. The whole movie incorporates the fab tunes of the era. Penny Lane is a groupie of the band and catches the eye of both the lead singer of the band, and the main character, the writer.
   Penny’s style is more than just typical ’60s groupie style. Yes, some elements are there: crop tops, fur coats, jeans, peasant tops, etc. I like to think she has more spunk though than your average groupie. Her personality is so electric, which resonates in her style. I think perhaps it’s the eclectic manner in which she puts things together, that nobody else may have thought of; coincidentally that always seems to work. Her natural curly mane and minimal make-up also help her out big time to not look over-the-top.

   For my look inspired by Penny, I have taken her fun, eclectic and very casual-glam vibe, rather than specifically copying pieces. The first piece I came up with was this super-cute set of overalls by Aussie label Friend of Mine. Friend of Mine exudes fun, carefree chic. I also couldn’t resist having another Friend of Mine piece to go under the overalls. I picked this Midwest is Best T as it seemed born to go with them. The cute slogan also screams a bit of Penny’s quirk to me.
   The first pairing came as a surprise, as I wasn’t planning on having a fur-like coat—it seems too literal. I could not resist this utterly beautiful jacket by Acne Studios, however. The muted tone, the design lines and everything about it is stunning and modern, and I think the colour and shape would contrast and complement the overalls to a T. Be sure to check out Acne’s current collection: everything is modern perfection.
   When contemplating shoes for this look, I just had a vision of mules, or a mule-like shoe. Perhaps this is purely because they are currently making the rounds of the fashion élite, but I like to think they just go oh-so-well with the shorty-short overalls. Very Rumi Neely of me. I picked these mule-ish booties by Stella McCartney, as I love the baby-pink tone and the modern design with the wood and metal heel. The wood reflects elements of the wedges of the ’60s and the ’70s whereas the metal cut-out is truly 2014.
   Penny definitely had a cuteness to her style so I decided to incorporate this, with a pair of fluffy, but not frilly, socks. I love the look of booties with higher socks, although I am completely avoiding the cliché frill. This off-white, fluffy, mid-high pair is perfect.
   Penny had a hippie element so I had to add one to this look, as I am such a bohemian fan myself. This wicked bag by Free People caught my eye as modern, funky and bohemian. I’m digging it so much I may get one for myself!
   The last element of Penny’s style was an ever-so-slight mod. These earrings by Marni, therefore, come in: they have a funky ’60s shape, a mixture of textiles and textures, including ’70s-style wood. Check out Marni’s entire collection of earrings if you are a chunky earring fan as you will be in heaven, as I was.
   The last touch, as per usual, was nails. Penny was a hippie no-polish type girl. Although I’m kind of a hippie myself, I still can’t roll with that. Therefore, I decided to modernize it with a contrast-colour nail. I love forest green, especially paired with pale pink and various shades of beige and white, so I chose this shade. These are all colours I coincidentally tend to wear a lot. In terms of make-up, I wouldn’t go any further than Penny’s look. There is no point trying to modernize a simple, beautiful and natural look that works. So try this look with loose, natural curls with a mid-part and oh-so-minimal make-up with a little mascara and gloss.
   What do you think of my modern interpretation of Penny’s style?—Anna Deans

Jason La Veris/Getty Images

It was MAC senior artist Amber Dreadon (Amber D) who gave New Zealand’s Grammy Award winner Lorde her make-up look on Sunday.
   Dreadon says, ‘We wanted to keep the look fresh and radiant. Modern, a bit boyish and darkly cool with a lip focus,’ and used MAC’s Strobe Liquid, Prep & Prime Natural Radiance Pink, Mineralize moisture foundation, Pearl cream colour base, Groundwork Pro Longwear Paint Pot, Blacktrack Fluidline, Heroine lipstick mixed with Cyber lipstick, and Vino lip pencil.
   Lorde, Daft Punk, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis scored big at the Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Daft Punk won the album and record of the year; while Macklemore & Ryan Lewis won best new artist. Lorde’s ‘Royals’ was named song of the year, and the Kiwi artist also took home the best pop solo performance award.
   At 17, she is the third-youngest Grammy winner.
   The award ceremony was opened by Beyoncé and Jay Z, performing ‘Drunk in Love’. Kendrick Lamar, Robin Thicke, Chicago, Stevie Wonder and Daft Punk performed during the ceremony.
   Our video below features Lorde, Paul McCartney, Cyndi Lauper, Pharell Williams, Nile Rodgers, and speeches from Dave Grohl, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Queen Latifah, Ozzy Osbourne, Ben Harper, and Charlie Musselwhite and Paul Williams of Daft Punk.

The Body Shop has released its Special Edition Blueberry range, comprising body butter, body lotion, shower gel, body scrub-gelée and lip butter.
   Made from cold-pressed blueberry seed oil, and Community Fair Trade shea butter and cocoa butter from Ghana, the range is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids that nourish and hydrate your skin, while softening, protecting and smoothing it.
   The fruity fragrance is the perfect icing on top that will leave your skin smelling like fresh blueberries!
   Prices begin at NZ$15·25 for the lip butter, and the sweet-smelling body butter retails at the top end for a still value-packed NZ$36.
   Feed your skin with this limited-time-only edition at your local Body Shop store or visit www.thebodyshop.com.—Christine Min

Elyse Glickman

Top Bag from Felio Siby. Above Devotion Vodka, proudly made in the USA.

In celebration of the 2014 Grammys and a very good year in music (Daft Punk, anyone?), Roger Zamudio’s Red Carpet Events LA staged an intimate and very tasteful event at the W Westwood that was as much a celebration of clever accessories and items made in the USA, and Los Angeles in particular.
   Although the banner charity, African Millennium Foundation (AMF), benefits women and children halfway around the world, it is certainly a cause many of the celebrities in attendance can get behind. One of the most admirable of the made-in-LA inventions on display was the work of Los Angeles high school student Leigh More, who helped establish the AMF-affiliated project Girls Helping Girls, which trains young women orphaned by Aids to express themselves creatively through jewellery-making.
   AMF raises money and awareness to help its beneficiaries receive the tools they need to combat poverty, hunger and disease at its very root by providing African women and children with the necessary tools for achieving self-sufficiency. The current Apron project helps Mozambique mothers feed their children and communities with the installation of solar-powered ovens.
   The clothing line Felio Siby was a perfect pairing for the charity. While the collection features designer jeans, T-shirts, handbags and more polished sportswear items, a lot of what was on display had motifs that celebrated the legacy of Nelson Mandela as well as protecting African wildlife. There was also the newly launched, affordable sportswear line Nredom Snoitom. While the company has been producing private-label and house brand apparel for department stores, they are launching their own retail operation in downtown Los Angeles, with a collection that has a bit of everything, from preppy basics, to ethnic folk prints to lace and floral patterns.
   Louisville, Kentucky-based jewellery designer Ronaldo, who made a splash at one of last year’s Oscar suites, was not only back with his lovingly forged line of sterling silver and gold-wire bracelets and bangles with and without pearls, but also some intricate one-of-a-kind cameo collars as well as semiprecious stone solitaire rings, earrings and cuffs. While some of last year’s featured designs had a delicate Florentine feel, expect more pieces inspired by Italy to appear in his online store as well as the 900 retailers across the US carrying his collection.
   Other fantastic LA companies bringing something new to the plate included Joy and Mario, whose espadrilles give a Franco-Spanish classic a modern, urban LA twist; Elin Bianco, which is bringing fine and innovative Israeli skin and hair care to boutiques in the States; Pursenal Butler purse stands, a clever organizer that makes it easy for us to find that favourite bag when pinched for time; Rafia, whose jewellery represents the perfect hybrid of LA boho chic and East Indian luxury. The line is the product of a Mother-daughter team, and a rarity in that there is literally something for everybody, from delicate sterling silver and gold-filled chains with semiprecious stones to bold collars, cuffs and statement pieces that run the gamut from earthy to edgy—much like the musicians who attended themselves.
   There were also some thirst-quenching treats, including Purity Organics coconut water and juices, Devotion Vodka which starts with an eye-catching bottle and some tempting flavours and adds to the formula a made-in-America pedigree and a formula that is sugar- and gluten-free as well as distilled using artisanal techniques; and BodyShots, a new tequila experience that turns a cocktail into something a little more intimate.
   In the health arena, Appethyl, a Swedish-made clinically-tested all-natural and experiential appetite-suppressing product from spinach and other green leaf plants was rolled out by Greenleaf Medical AB. BioTerra Herbal’s remedies will at least cure the blues if nothing else, thanks to their irreverent packaging, some with Yiddish ideas that would do Mel Brooks proud. There was also something good for the office or the kitchen: Whitey, a totally erasable portable whiteboard that not only keeps one’s life in order but can be changed on a swipe.—Elyse Glickman, US West Coast Editor

Courtesy Red Carpet Events LA

Elyse Glickman

Below Chrisette Michele, nominated for best R&B album. Bottom left Mikky Ekko, nominated with Rihanna for the song ‘Stay’. Bottom right Tank, part of Grammy-nominated group TGT.


Courtesy Red Carpet Events LA

Eric Ouaknine

Above, from top Christine Margossian’s ‘Mutine’, ‘Re-belle’ and ‘It-side’ looks.

L’Oréal Professionnel has shown its new hairstyles for spring–summer 2014, as conceived by its ambassador Christine Margossian. Margossian was named the Meilleure ouvrier de France (MOF) when she was 24 in the early 1990s, with her medal awarded to her by President Mitterand. The psychology-trained hairstylist has had a decades-long partnership with L’Oréal Professionnel, and has been coming up with new trends each season.
   Her new “it” look for the season is named Touch of Pink, summarized with the keywords of optimism, freshness and natu­ral.
   Margossian forecasts a minimalist style, and says that platinum-blonde hair with pastel-pink touches are in. One can choose to have the hair down, letting it ‘fly with the wind,’ keeping it up using twists, or a headband.
   The styles are based around a layered bob, featuring very light blonde highlights using L’Oréal Professionnel’s Lightening Paste Platinum. Splashlights will remain on trend for spring, with pink diluted hair chalk. They also employ the brand’s Volume Architect Tec-Ni Art, SOS Volumetry, Infinium and Crystal Gloss hair sprays.
   The first look, ‘Mutine’, features few pastel pink twists to show off one’s platinum locks.
   The second look, ‘Re-belle’, sees an extra-large chignon with plenty of volume, held up with a headband. Here is where Margossian sees pink pearls and the smoking jacket to complement the look.
   The third, ‘It-Side’, has fine twists on the side, and works for both day and night wear.

Credits
Hair by Christine Margossian for L’Oréal Professionnel
Photographed by Eric Ouaknine
Make-up by Stéphane Dussart
Art-directed and styled by Laure Delvigo
Video by Miguel Cyrille
Special thanks to Max Chaoul Couture, and Lise & Serge
Graphic design by Yvan Babillon