HELLO ... I am going away for a week ... I will be back ...

The New Zealand Tattoo and Art Festival

So many people turned up for the New Zealand Tattoo and Art Festival at New Plymouth's TSB Stadium this weekend it will be coming back every two years.
Thousands of tattoo enthusiasts and people watchers poured through the stadium where 140 tattoo artists, performers and rock bands had taken over. Organiser Brent Taylor of Oni Events said the turnout exceeded expectations. "It's been unreal. We have had through far more people than we ever expected. All of the artists have been working steadily through the weekend. They have all made money and made some good contacts in the industry," Mr Taylor said. The festival showcased the best New Zealand and international tattoo artists with 100 booths featuring live tattooing, piercing, art exhibitions and live entertainment.
Wellington's Sarah Crossly arrived at the festival with plans to track down a design for her first tattoo. "I have always wanted one but I have never known what to get so I'm looking for something different," she said. Ben Scoot, of New Plymouth, said he had been looking forward to the festival for months. "I haven't got much skin left," a heavily tattooed Mr Scoot said, "I'm sure I can find a place for something new." As well as getting ink, people were also treated to four live bands and dangerous stunts. "People really enjoyed the juggling chainsaws and all the feedback I have had has been good," said Mr Taylor. He said the charity skateboard auction also hit the mark, raising about $6000 for the Taranaki children's ward at Taranaki Base Hospital.

Norton & Sons

CORONEL BLASHER , EXPLORER AND A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

Fawcett was accompanied by two Brazilian laborers, two horses, eight mules, and a pair of dogs. The last communication from the expedition was on 29 May 1925, when Fawcett telegraphed his wife that he was ready to go into unexplored territory with only Jack and Rimmell. They were reported to be crossing the Upper Xingu, a southeastern tributary of the Amazon River. Nothing more was heard of them
But coronel Blasher is prepared for anything ... So very wisely, he orders a special "Tweed" explorer suit at Norton's & Sons, Savile Row (like many other fellow explorers did in the past )

THE END OF "ALFAIATARIA PICADILLY "

There was no one to rescue this beautiful Taylors shop, which is one the last remaining in the area around Chiado and the Baixa Quarter in Lisbon.
The philosophy, atmosphere and decor in a Savile Row” flavour “were there since almost a century...and everything came straight from London.
This sartorial temple and its true “bespoke” tradition were sustained by a team of true artisans...
The customers were very connected with a number of Gentlemen's clubs in the area...
But, Gentlemen are an in danger of extinction specimen group... and with less and less money ... so this Taylor’s establishment will close very soon and with it, one more piece of European Sartorial Tradition will disappear forever...

Flower Tattoos

Getting tattooed with a flower stands for enjoy, or higher specifically a pure love. Really should be point, about the 16th century, a rose was inked on folks condemned to loss of life, so would be recognized instantly if he or she actually escaped the gallows. Even so, these days the rose is usually inked as synonymous with cherish and passion. High of the skin icon meaning of this flower concerns the rose being a flower that is given throughout passionate events. Because of this , a rose is sometimes tattooed on someone to clearly show their adoration for some man or woman. It is not likely the coincidence which the rose tattoo is easily the most popular of all tats picturing blossoms, and much more so, because men are acquiring tattooed with flowers too. Just like a rose tattoo signifies true love as well as purity in the west, a skin icon with a lotus flower stands for identical factors inside the eastern. A tattoo together with the lotus flower, even though, gives with it a bit more symbolism. This specific skin icon additionally represents magnificence, benefits, lot of money, enlightenment, and peace. In the event that you decide yourself a perfect lover, you may need to possess a tulip tattooed in your arm to represent fame as well as passionate cherish. However, if you are a self conscious and timid individual, the violet tattoo is great for you.Finding inked using a flower can offer these kinds of distinct explanations along with being very beautiful and stylish. The flower tattoos is as small and dainty or as significant and strong as you wish. Whichever flower you choose, maybe it’s a rose, a lotus, a violet or any other your skin icon can say specifically what you would like it to.

Cording's "Tweedy" Atmospheres ... at The Country Landowners Association Game Fair ...

Eric Clapton discussing his love for Cordings country clothing

WHEN ERIC CLAPTON RESCUED CORDING'S

CORDING'S 2003 – Present
In February 2003 the current management team approached Cordings best customer and asked if he would assist in a management buyout. A presentation was prepared for him and after 3 minutes of this carefully prepared presentation he declared he would support it, he never did hear the final 17 minutes. Suffice to say the best customer was Eric Clapton.

Since that date the emphasis has been firmly on tradition and re-establishing the reputation of quality. All merchandise is made to exclusive specifications from materials traditionally found in the UK. The marque of Cordings is now attracting back sons and grandsons of followers from previous decades.

The stylishly dressed guitarist moonlights as the co-owner and design Director and since February 2003 has been masterminding its re-launch. "My favourite pieces are the tweed shooting and hacking jackets" he says.

We now have a women's collection, this range was born out of the demand from women who came into the store with their husbands looking at the huge array of tweed on offer for men and requesting traditional hacking jackets made for women as well.

This range will be based on the five Cordings core products and specializing in items such as fitted tweed jackets, covert coats, rubberised mackintoshes, leather blazers and beautifully handmade Spanish riding boots.



Clapton rescues gentlemen's shop
Monday, 2 August, 2004 BBC News

Eric Clapton wanted to save the store so he could shop there
Eric Clapton has shed his rock star image to step in and save an historic gentleman's outfitters from closure.
Clapton, 59, bought a 50% share in Cordings, which has been in Piccadilly, central London, since 1839, after it got into financial difficulties.

The guitarist said he has been fond of the shop since a window display caught his eye when he was 16, and has been a regular shopper for the past two years.

The shop stocks apparel for countryside sports and pursuits.

One of the changes to be introduced since Clapton bought the share is the shop's first women's collection.


Noll was thinking what could be done to save the shop and thought `I will go and talk to my best client'

Spokeswoman for Cordings
Clapton said: "I am a big fan of English traditional tailoring and have always been intrigued by the balance between functionality and style in the development of men's fashion.

"I wanted to help preserve Cordings for myself so I could continue to shop there."

A spokeswoman for Cordings said Noll Uloth approached Mr Clapton for help soon after he started working at the shop.

"Noll was thinking what could be done to save the shop and thought `I will go and talk to my best client"', said Melanie Cable-Alexander, spokeswoman for Cordings.

"He contacted Eric and within five minutes he had a reply saying `I can't let this happen"'.

Cordings was the originator of the Covert coat and the Tattersall shirt and made riding boots for the Queen Mother, the Duke of Windsor and Mrs Simpson.