After assistant fashion editor Bronwyn Williams, intern Alice Palmer and I attended the trends’ presentations at Massey University yesterday (which were, incidentally, impressive), it was interesting to see this Dutch label, W-41, embracing another emerging trend: that of combining technology with fashion. At least one group of students touched on this, and seeing it in the market-place the same day was certainly interesting.
   The themes have been around for a while: for example, on the right of this page is a QR bar code, which provides information to those cellphones that have a QR reader. Others have been finding ways to incorporate microprocessors into clothes, in a fairly obvious fashion. And my friend, author Stefan Engeseth (who has just launched his book, The Fall of PR and the Rise of Advertising), wrote years ago about two cellphones that could physically link together in a jigsaw fashion to encourage people to meet.
   W-41, meanwhile, has blended its own code, readable via a free downloadable application, with a range of T-shirts. Embedded in the code is the wearer’s favourite URL, whether it be their website or their favourite YouTube clip. It seems like a good idea, namely because it does not really change the way we wear clothes or use technology. Snapping a photograph on a cellphone is a normal activity in 2009—I say it has even replaced the notepad—and those who wear W-41 codes invite it.
   In addition, the W-41 code is more attractive than the traditional bar code, which has, in popular culture, gained a negative image when shown on the body. There is an idea that the traditional bar code is dehumanizing, making a person into a good—or even a number, with Nazist shades. By creating a circular emblem for the code, W-41 is less menacing.
   It could be a great social tool, and there is huge potential for marketing. In either case, I foresee some clever applications.

Kevin Mazur/AEG/Getty Images

Above are Kevin Mazur’s photographs of Michael Jackson’s last rehearsal at Staples Center in Los Angeles, which should put paid to rumours suggesting the King of Pop had no intention to carry out his concerts.
   Mazur, who had photographed Jackson on numerous occasions, says, ‘When he hit the stage at rehearsal, I was thrilled that the magical Michael Jackson was back! I felt the same adrenaline rush as when I photographed him the first time moonwalking. I was so looking forward to shooting the O2 Arena performances with the amazing production that Kenny Ortega and AEG put together with Michael for his fans.’
   AEG Live (UK) Ltd. has announced that full refunds will be available to fans who purchased tickets through authorized agents for any of the 50 Michael Jackson This Is It concerts which were to take place at the O2 Arena in London.

For Lucire readers, the Royal Ascot is perhaps better known for the fashion than the racing. This year, we have some footage from the event, including interviews with Amanda Holden, Ronnie Corbett and Eddie Jordan.

Amanda Holden describes what she’s wearing.

Hello’s Judy Wade, who covers the Royal beat, discusses the Ascot tradition.

Ronnie Corbett comments on his interest in Ascot.

Eddie Jordan sees Ascot as part of a great English sporting summer with the British Grand Prix and Wimbledon.

[Cross-posted] One of the topics raised by Summer Rayne Oakes, author of Style, Naturally and a scientist and strategist in her own right—not to mention Lucire’s editor-at-large—was why chat rooms fell out of favour this century.
   During the last week, Summer Rayne and I had plenty of good chats, but this is probably one that relates directly to some of the issues I discuss on this blog.
   The obvious answer is all the odd people who used to venture into these chat rooms, often wanting to get on to a sexual topic. I’ve encountered my share, and it seems that women are targeted even more. These were always at non-sex spaces, and even they would attract those looking to get off on discussing these topics.
   But that can’t be it. This is partly my memory giving chat rooms a bad name. The overwhelming majority of conversations I had on them were productive and only a handful had visitors whose minds were on sex.
   Yet in the last 10 to 20 years we’ve also seen the rise and fall of the email and online discussion group. Spam may have had something to do with that. But the newsgroups also seem to be less well frequented: in fact, I found it very odd when someone referred me to a newsgroup earlier this month on, of all things, Karl Malden’s nose. A newsgroup? Do people still use those?
   There have been the rise and fall of MySpace, and the rise and seemingly continued rise of Facebook and Twitter.
   Anyone who has been on Twitter for a little while can see that many people out there have their own websites now. The blogging revolution that people such as Helen Baxter predicted has come to pass: people are expressing themselves, and everyone is vying for their share of the internet audience. Some do it by being sarky (some of the celebrity gossip sites come to mind), others by being deceptive (a few so-called news sites attacking people), and, hopefully, the majority are there just trying to get by with some honest reflection and communication.
   But in this quest for self-expression, the victim seems to have been communicating in a common space. We bloggers still want to share, but we expect readers to come to our space to do it. The chat room, which worked on the idea of a central location that was common to one’s interest, has given way to everyone playing host to a variety of subjects, and netizens pop by to the one that suits their subject area. Ultimately, they are found on a search engine, not at something as neutral as Egroups.
   In other words, we no longer go to the community centre, we play guests at people’s homes. Except this is done virtually. And the relationships, seemingly, are more shallow.
   Unless it’s a blog that I have great affinity with, I’m unlikely to visit again. Last week, Ashes to Ashes finished its second series on BBC1. I frequented blogs that reviewed the finalé. I might leave a comment. But they are unlikely to be places I’d revisit, certainly not till the next series begins in 2010. By then I am likely to have forgotten who they were.
   There have been some wonderful readers on this blog whom I have come to admire and respect. But there are also many whom I do not know beyond their single comment.
   I’m wondering whether the blogosphere has given rise to the sort of deep connection that one can form personal or professional relationships on, because our contact is more fleeting. Certainly it cannot work alone: something must complement the blogosphere if two people are to form any sort of relationship. In that vein, the old discussion groups seem to be more self-contained.
   When I look back at my dozen or so years managing discussion groups and blogging, many of the strongest bonds are still with people I met on discussion groups. Someone like Simon Young falls into that category. Others I know in person, before they even became bloggers, such as Johnnie Moore.
   The blogs have opened the door to my meeting other people. I’m sure Cat Morley, whom I met on the blogosphere, and I, would get on famously if we met face to face. Jim Donovan falls into that category. But Jim and I meet almost monthly, and we’ve opened the door to that more extensive contact.
   Maybe I’m not one of those “celebrity bloggers”, so blogging has not resulted in a rise in my work. It has helped a bit with my profile. But it is a surface medium, one that hasn’t supplanted the chat room or email group. It is a very wordy business card or a calling card.
   Yet we humans still seek those deeper relationships. They are not to be found on Facebook groups, because at the end of the day, Facebook is about keeping in touch with those one already knows. It is a social network in the literal sense: people are there with brains switched off (I know I am), socializing. While I have met people through it, I am not convinced that it is a medium where one can espouse those deep thoughts in a group, the same way some of us used to on email groups. There are so many people there that it lacks the feel of a chat room or a discussion group, where there were regulars. Its one great benefit, as far as I can tell, has been the fact that the majority of the conversations have been clean and so far, no one has engaged me in a discussion about sex on a Facebook group about, say, freeing a jailed journalist.
   So the answer to Summer Rayne’s question may be that we have ventured too far into becoming talkers and not listeners. The shift to the blogosphere has allowed us to come forth overwhelmingly, because we could, all of a sudden. For those of us not wishing to write posts as long as this (1,000 words and counting), Twitter has become that great substitute, where 140 characters are all that are available. Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame, and since few of us wish to debase ourselves on reality television, the blogosphere and Twitter allow us to control the message.
   I somehow think we will congregate again. I know some people who have set up Ning groups, to some success. A friend of mine, and a former Lucire beauty columnist, frequents one devoted to young mothers. We must get to a point where everyone who wants one has their own blogs or Twitter account, and we get sick of talking without any certainty over whether anyone is listening.
   People are creatures who wish to communicate, and that implies a two-way dialogue. Blogs were meant to deliver just that, but I’m waiting for the next online revolution that restores that two-way street.

It’s been a wonderful few days chilling out with our ed.-at-large, Summer Rayne Oakes, in Lucire’s home country of New Zealand to promote her book, Style, Naturally.
   Summer Rayne was out this way to attend Greenfest in Brisbane, Queensland, and decided that she should venture to New Zealand to see us and to give Style, Naturally, which launched here earlier this year, a push.

Summer Rayne interviewed by National Radio’s Jim Mora, broadcast live on June 9.

With David Farrier for TV3’s Campbell Live, which aired June 11.

Checking out Trade Aid on Victoria Street, Wellington, with Carolyn Enting; and Summer’s subsequent interview at Mojo Coffee on Bond Street.

   Barbora Hromadova of Southern Publishers Group, which distributes Style, Naturally here, did an incredible job of arranging the Auckland media. While I cannot mention who has interviewed Summer until their pieces run, some of you will already have seen her story in The Dominion Post and Campbell Live, as well as on two radio stations, including Radio New Zealand National.
   I flew up on Sunday, a few hours ahead of Summer, to collect her from Auckland Airport. We’ve been seeing the journalists that Barbora arranged initially, and thanks to Mark Patterson at Volvo, had a very comfortable ride in the form of the XC60 diesel SUV.
   We had plenty of comedies of errors with the keys at the Cintra Lane Apartments, my regular haunt, which are too plentiful to list here.
   I introduced Summer to Bridget Saunders and Miss New Zealand Katie Taylor, both of whom have interests in sustainability, during the evenings, and spent quite a bit on food to boost the Auckland economy.
   Here in Wellington, I was adamant that I would at least show Summer Rayne a bit more of this part of the island than the central city, and got to drive her around our south coast.
   She mastered the use of the Kiwi superlative suffix (the use of as at the ends of adjectives) and the distinctively odd ‘Flag it’ (‘Ignore it’), and I admit I was more liberal with the former than I otherwise would be.
   But the highlight was probably dinner with fashion editor Samantha Hannah and some of our crew on Wednesday night. We invited Laurie Foon of Starfish, whose label was featured in Style, Naturally. Laurie had bought the book many months before without knowing Starfish was in it. She had it for two months before getting to the references’ section; and was further surprised when I called her to ask if she wanted to meet the author.
   Earlier today, Samantha filmed an interview with Summer Rayne for both Snapstar and Lucire TV.

After her final Style, Naturally interview on this leg, Summer Rayne relaxes with the Lucire crew in Wellington and at Te Papa Tongarewa.

Summer Rayne Oakes at the Bush City trail at Te Papa Tongarewa—before the joke that the water could be from the toilets.

   Afterwards, we hung out at Te Papa before I drove Summer to Wellington Airport as she left our shores, only to be dicked around by Air New Zealand over an error in her ticketing, which spoiled an otherwise enjoyable tour.
   The error seemed to emanate from the Brisbane end, when the booking was originally done, and some of the Air New Zealand staff here tried their best to remedy the situation.
   These five days in Auckland and Wellington were thoroughly enjoyable. We’re looking forward to seeing more of the press that Summer Rayne deservedly received during her time here; and needless to say, we recommend Style, Naturally wholeheartedly as the definitive guide to sustainable fashion and beauty.

Plug-in hybrids are getting a lot of news lately, and Volvo is the latest to make an announcement. Teaming up with Swedish energy company Vattenfall, the car maker plans a 2012 plug-in hybrid. Vattenfall itself plans to generate the electricity sustainably.
   The companies say that the plug-in hybrids would cost €3 per 100 km for families, and fuel consumption would drop to 2 l/100 km (118 mpg). The battery takes around five hours to charge, and it is also charged when the brakes are applied.

Azra Duliman is the new Miss Sweden 2009, crowned on May 15 at the Scandinavian Congress of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
   Duliman is a 23-year‐old law student from Stockholm, with experience from working with young immigrants and engaged in human rights. She has a multicultural background, and said she would take the opportunity to spread a message of self‐esteem and inner confidence. This made an impact on the jury. Duliman is a Muslim, which may make her the first Miss Sweden practising the Islamic faith at the time of her crowning.
   ‘The most important task for Miss Sweden is to be able to represent Sweden as a modern country, in many different situations. Looking good in a bathing suit is truly not enough,’ says Panos Papadopoulos, the head and owner of the Miss Sweden brand, and founder of the New Miss Sweden concept.
   Earlier this year, Lucire reported that there had been differences between Miss Universe and the Miss Sweden organization. Papadopoulos alleged that the Miss Universe Organization would not accept his changes in modernizing the pageant and unilaterally broke off their connection.

Azra Duliman receives her certificate and bouquet from pageant owner Panos Papadopoulos.

Mini celebrates its 50th birthday this weekend at Silverstone, England. It has come up with a fresh interpretation of George Harrison’s extravagant original Mini to coincide with the event, using the latest R55 model as its base.
   The one-off model will be presented to Harrison’s widow, Olivia, at the Mini United event. She will accept on behalf of the Material World Charitable Foundation, a charity set up by George Harrison in 1973. The car will be auctioned in aid of the Foundation later in the year.
   Four Minis had been presented to the Beatles in 1966 by their manager, Brian Epstein. George Harrison had had his painted in a psychedelic style and the car went on to star in the 1967 film, Magical Mystery Tour.
   The unique Mini has been designed according to the wishes of Mrs Harrison and follows the 1966 models’ style.

While the political media were either praising or criticizing US President Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office, IMG Publishing has published a collectible called Michelle Obama: 100 Days of Style. The new 116 pp. volume details every outfit worn by the First Lady from the Inaugural Ball to her high-profile trip to Europe. The edition is available at newsstands, major bookstores in the US and online at fashionweekdaily.com.

If you’re anything like me you’ll be eagerly anticipating the 2009 Food Show. The impressive line-up of celebrity New Zealand chefs, including Peta Mathias, Donna Hay and Julie Le Clerc, will be sharing new recipes, lending handy hints and no doubt inspiring onlookers with their passion and zest for great-tasting food. And while you meander your way around the delightful mix of exhibits, you’ll be able to make a pit stop and chill out to live music.
   So if you’re able to scoot along to the Food Show, then just make sure you go equipped with an empty tummy, open mind and wide eyes ready to taste your little heart out. The Food Show starts in Wellington from this Friday until Sunday and moving on to Christchurch in March and tempting the taste buds of Aucklanders in July. For more information including venues and prices visit www.foodshow.co.nz.