Tyler Brule

If you're a former magazine junkie, then you will know that Tyler Brule is the famous founder of Wallpaper magazine and now makes a living flogging himself as some kind of amazing creative guru. And guru he is. My not-so-fancy hat goes off to the clever stylemeister. He has set up a new magazine called Monocle - which also has a swish shop selling elegant goodies - and has created a Quality of Life survey rating cities for their fabulousness, fun and frivolity. Last year, cool Copenhagen won the title of Most Liveable City and this year it is Zurich. Further down the list, Brule proclaims Melbourne is better than Sydney. Pah. The man should eat his fancy hat!

Related stories:

Read about the Quality of Life survey here

Read the list of winners here

5 Internet Lessons Parents Need to Start Teaching Kids By: John Cheese Nov 11 2010 | Read more

Porn ? Glee gets it on

While the mainstream media asks "Did the Glee stars go too far?" we think not, please please go a little further . . . 

Lea Michele has defended a Glee cast photo shoot she took part in for GQ magazine, saying they "were just having a good time".

The actress and her fellow Gleekers Dianna Agron and Cory Monteith came under fire from parents and the community after the photo shoot was labelled too racy for the show's fan base.

Many mums and dads had their knickers in a knot after they saw the photo shoot, which showed the Glee stars in a number of sexy poses wearing skimpy outfits and exposing their underwear!

"I don't think we ever thought it would be as big of a deal as it became," Lea told Conan O'Brien on last night's premiere episode of his new TBS show Conan.

"We were just having fun and obviously never intended to upset or offend anybody. Our photographer Terry Richardson is such an icon [so] we were just having a good time."

Glee - lets remember, is a television show, a musical comedy !   The youngest member of the cast is 22 - while we realise the cast are playing teen high school students - the Fact is They Aren't - we hope they [the writers, producers, cast and directors] keep it up!

copyright - all imigaes are the property of GQ - the fact they appear here is not a sly attempt at ownership

Rex Dupain - Australia: 150 Photographs

Steve Meacham

November 10, 2010

Capturing the moment ... Rex Dupain and one of his works. Photo: Steven Siewert

Rex Dupain quickly acknowledges his favourite subject in his new book and exhibition, Australia: 150 Photographs. ''Turn to page 57,'' he says, deadpan. ''She was the most obedient model in the book. I said stay still, and she did just that. I didn't even have to get her to sign a model release!''

The joke becomes clear when you reach the right page: a statue in Waverley Cemetery.

But Dupain, the son of the legendary Max, has a serious point. Candid, unstaged, street photography of the kind pioneered by Henri Cartier-Bresson's ''decisive moment'' philosophy is under serious threat.

Advertisement: Story continues below

''Litigation is enormous these days,'' Dupain says. ''Ninety-nine per cent of the people who appear in the book have signed a model release. In the past I'd shoot a million shots, come home, decide what I wanted to use, then hope for the best.

''Now, whether I think I'm going to use the shot or not, I get [the people in the photograph] to sign a model release. We're living in an age of censorship. Freedom is gone and buried. A lone man with a camera is not a good look.''

Things have become much worse for professional photographers since the Bill Henson furore two years ago, when police raided Roslyn Oxley's Paddington gallery after complaints about child pornography.

Dupain himself has been escorted off Bondi Beach - where his father took Sunbaker, one of the most iconic Australian photographs of all time - by over-zealous police.

This year Dupain joined other photographers, including Ken Duncan, to protest against the fees councils and other organisations are charging them for taking images of such things as Bondi Beach, the Opera House and Uluru.

Yet this crackdown on copyright and privacy comes at a time when any amateur with a mobile phone can post whatever sexual indiscretion they like on Facebook without consequence.

Despite the limitations, Dupain's fifth photographic book - and his first exhibition with Tim Olsen, another son of a famous father - is packed with ''real Australians'' caught in some quirky landscape.

One shows a young couple in a smouldering snog under the Coca-Cola sign in Kings Cross, oblivious to passers-by. On the opposite page a homeless man in Woolloomooloo reads a discarded magazine on his makeshift bed surrounded by proud possessions.

All three have signed model releases - as did the two hookers on page 72 (''but only when I waved $50 in front of each of them'') and the spaced-out gay guy on page 79 (''he was drunk as a skunk and collapsed as I was taking the photo'').

Bizarre juxtaposition, quirkiness and a sense of beauty in the mundane are recurring themes in Dupain's work. Witness the photo on page 153 showing a young woman in a yellow coat standing on a pile of hay covered in white plastic and black tiles, echoing the monotones of the Friesian herd behind. Fortunately, the cows didn't have to sign releases.

Australia: 150 Photographs by Rex Dupain, Lantern, $59.95, opens today at Tim Olsen Gallery, Jersey Road, Woollahra. The exhibition runs until November 28.

Jessica Mauboy's latest hit is just a bunch of gibberish

Australian pop star Jessica Mauboy has recorded a version of her upcoming single Saturday Night in a language that virtually no one on the planet understands.

If you think that's weird, international pop sensations Kelly Rowland, Kelis and Flo Rida have also recorded singles in "Simlish", a fake language akin to gibberish spoken by the characters in the popular "life simulation" video game series The Sims.

"The language is combined with Ukraine and Singapore and it's kind of like mushed together," Mauboy said in a phone interview.

Advertisement: Story continues below

"[The song] took a day to learn ... I was so embarrassed at the beginning, I was like 'oh my gosh I can't sing this, I don't know how to sing this', so the other side of me just had to come out and be a little bit humorous with it."

The English version of Saturday Night - or "Surbiduh Nye" in simlish - features rapper Ludacris and is on Mauboy's new album Get 'Em Girls, which will be released on Friday.

The "simlish" songs were recorded to promote The Sims 3 and The Sims 3 Late Night games for the PC, Mac and games consoles. They will be featured in the video games and on publisher Electronic Arts' website, with a potential iTunes release down the track.

Mauboy was the runner-up of the fourth series of Australian Idol in 2006, after which she signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.

Her debut album, The Journey, was released in 2007 and soon after she joined the Young Divas, but the group split up in 2008. Her second album, Been Waiting, was released in 2008 and contained her first number one single, Burn

Australian Dollar Stays Above Parity

Australian dollar dips on commodity prices

Published 8:22 AM, 9 Nov 2010 Last update 1:39 PM, 9 Nov 2010

---

QUICK SUMMARY | FULL STORY

The Australian dollar was lower at noon but remained above parity with the US dollar, as waning commodity prices weigh on the currency.

At 1200 AEDT, the Australian dollar was trading at 101.01 US cents, down from Monday's close of 101.32 cents.

Since 0700 AEDT on Tuesday, the local unit traded between 101.01 US cents and 101.35 cents.

CMC Markets foreign exchange dealer Tim Waterer said the unit had come under pressure as commodity prices slipped during the domestic session.

The Australian dollar is a commodity sensitive currency, and often rises and falls in line with resource prices.

"There was a little bit of weakness in the Aussie this morning," Mr Waterer said.

"It's come off for a couple of reasons. There were some stop levels on the euro and we have also had some weakness in the commodity sector in our stock market."

The share market was dragged lower by resource sector shares during the day.

At 1200 AEDT, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down or 0.5 per cent at 4,754.6 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index had fallen 0.46 per cent to 4,833.1 points.

On the ASX 24, the December share price index futures contract was down 37 points at 4,769, with 18,695 contracts traded.

On Thursday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is to release Labour Force data for September.

Economists expect the jobless rate between 5.1 and 5.3 per cent, broadly unchanged from 5.1 per cent in August.

Dennis Paphitis Gets it

Spot on again . . .

At the Palais Royal end of the wonderfilled rue St-Honore shopping strip, Aesop has opened a second Paris store dispensing all their signature botanical skincare products. Established in Melbourne over 20 years ago, Aesop opened their first Paris space late in 2006 on the Left Bank, so are not new Francophiles to the Parisian shopping fixtures, but certainly welcome ones.

In true Aesop style, the Australian brand offers an experience that reaches beyond simply a retail outlet, providing a unique interior in every shop. The new Paris interior has been designed by Melbourne designer Rodney Eggleston from March Studio with Aesop founder Dennis Paphitis. The floor, walls and even the ceiling are made of wood, with cut wood shelving holding products. Parquetry floors, similar to those typical in many French boutiques, have been laid too.

Aesop is also intending to open a signature store in Tokyo later in the year.

wood, wood wonderfilled wood . . .

What makes each Aesop store unique is that it responds to the geographical location it’s situated in. In this case, the inspiration was from a Parisian parquetry floor. Parquetry is a geometric mosaic of wood pieces used for decorative effect. - Wikipedia

The mastermind behind this design is Australian-based architectural and design practice, March Studio. The wood they have used for the new store is Victorian ash (from the eucalyptus family), an Australian grown renewable timber, which was hand-cut into about 3500 pieces before being sealed, numbered to meticulous plans and then sent off in shipping creates to be built in Paris. - watoday.domain.com.au

The design of the store actually reminded me of M.C. Escher’s ‘Impossible Structures’, in the respect that it could make you question which way is up because the floor, walls and ceiling are all the same material.

My favourite aspect about the design are the walls. To some, the composition of the planks may appear random but the reality is, all the planks have been carefully orchestrated.

I like the way March Studio have looked at using the material in a different way. Parquetry is conventionally a flat wood inlay used for floors, here they have challenged the idea by utilizing it for the walls and the ceiling as well.

By exposing the sides of the wood, it displays the lovely detail of the grains that would normally be hidden. The intricate lines of the grain subtly breaks the strong linear forms created by the planks of wood and the packaging labels.

This design is quite similar to Aesop’s Flinders Lane store in Melbourne, which is made of cardboard boxes, also designed by March Studio. It displays a good level of understanding and respect towards the materials they have used and the application of it. Not to mention it reflects the ethos of the Aesop brand: simplicity, integrity and authenticity.

Photography by Louis Baquiast.

Mini Scooter e concept

Mini Cooper look out - your lil sister is after the limelight. The Mini Scooter E was unveiled yesterday. This way to cute electric scooter was designed by BMW director of design Adrian Van Hooydonk & will make its official debut at the end of the month. The scooter charges through a plug-in system and features a docking station for smartphones which also serves as the key to start the engine. special software on the device then acts as a GPS system for the scooter and also notifies users when other mini scooter riders are nearby. 3 models of the scooter e will be released with the other two to be seen at the upcoming paris auto show.

Cosmetically, the Scooter E is a visual timewarp, but beneath the skin, it's a far cry from the oil-burning, two-stroke scooters of the 1960s. Motive power comes courtesy of an electric motor driving the rear wheel. Actually, it's mounted within the rear wheel itself, allowing designers a chance to simplify the exterior design and utilize additional space on the bike. As a result, the lithium-ion battery pack and an on-board charger are installed underneath the seat, although Mini's given no indication as to its range or charge times.

The advanced technology isn't limited to the powertrain, either. As the Scooter E is targeting young, tech-saavy hipsters, it's not too surprising to see an iPhone docking station built into the large speedometer display on the handlebars. The interface allows the iPhone to be used as an ignition key, navigation system, music device, and -- assuming you have a helmet with an integrated Bluetooth device -- a hands-free mobile phone. A rail system, much like that used in the new Countryman's center console, allows a variety of different attachments (i.e. cup holders, baskets, etc.) on the inside surface of the front fairing.

Like the Lambrettas of days past, or today's Mini Cooper, for that matter - the Scooter E appears to be a canvas ripe for personalization. The three scooters on Mini's display stand are mechanically identical to one another, but each is given a unique visual personality. The neon green-on-grey scheme is a blatant tie-in to the electric Mini E test vehicles, while the British Racing Green, and red/white/blue scooters channel the Minis and Mods of yesteryear, respectively.

5 Awesome Vehicles for the Extremely Wealthy  (And Insane) Nov 9 2010 | Read more

Israeli Dancing with the Stars makes a gay statement

IN IDENTICAL net costumes and with matching blonde tresses, a television presenter and a professional dancer entered Israel'sDancing with the Stars to become the first same-sex couple to perform in the global television dance phenomenon.

Gili Shem Tov, an openly gay anchor on one of Israel's main channels, made a female partner a condition of competing in the show.

''This is my way of life and this is my agenda, and I wanted to express it,'' she said.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Gili Shem Tov and Dorit Milman dance during a dress rehearsal for the Israeli version of Dancing with the Stars.Photo: Reuters

''If even just a few people become more tolerant and open-minded as a result, then I have achieved something.''

Shem Tov, who lives with her partner and their son, said most reaction had been positive, although a few people had said a program watched by children should not show two women dancing together.

''I don't understand that,'' she said. ''I have a child myself.''

Her partner, she said, was proud and excited ''and said I have a lot of courage''.

Her dance partner, Dorit Milman, was enthusiastic about the debut. ''Everyone knows that Israel has a lot of extremes,'' she said.

''When we go on primetime TV as a couple, we're showing everyone can love everyone.''

Milman, who is heterosexual, said the pair had to ''change the rules'' to make their dance routine work.

She said: ''In a 'normal' couple, the man must show his masculinity and the female is very sensual.''

The program's makers consulted the BBC, the owners of the format, on whether there had been a same-sex couple competing in any of the 36 countries where versions of the show have been broadcast.

''They said we would be the first,'' said the executive producer, Assaf Gil.

Israel has a thriving gay scene, based mostly in the liberal, secular and cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv.

Stained By Ali.G

No respect... Sacha Baron Cohen as Ali G.

Staines wants the world to know it's no blot on the landscape.

Sandwiched between Heathrow Airport, a cluster of reservoirs and a bleak industrial park, some in this London commuter town feel Staines has received some bad press - and needs a change of name to change its fortunes.

Middle-class Staines might have wallowed in happy obscurity had it not been picked by British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen as the home of Ali G, his tracksuit-wearing wannabe gangsta who specialised in hip-hop-inflected malapropisms.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Tainted ... Staines can't shake it's Ali G 'wasteland' reputation. Photo: AP

Ali G's adventures cast the town of 45,000 as an urban wasteland whose main attractions include a traffic circle and the local KFC. The town initially welcomed Baron Cohen's fame, but the negative connotations lingered even as the comedian moved on to other projects.

"Ali G did us a favour and put Staines on the map," Tribick told The Associated Press. "The trouble is, no one knows where on the map it is."

Tribick argued for changing the name to Staines-on-Thames or Staines-upon-Thames, which would highlight the area's proximity to the River Thames, the lifeline that also cuts through London. It might even boost business and tourism in time for the 2012 Olympics, he says.

Some critics say the proposed rebranding would be prohibitively expensive and point out that the proposed name - Staines-upon-Thames - might draw the same kind of ridicule. If the new name were to be approved, maps, street signs and a whole host of other documents would have to be changed.

Anne Damerell of the Staines Town Society called the idea "pretentious nonsense."

The name change request has to go through a series of hoops - ultimately needing council approval before it goes through.

Although the city sounds like something red wine might leave on a white tablecloth, by some measures Staines doesn't have it so bad.

Britain is peppered with embarrassing place names - from Slack Bottom near the northern England city of Burnley to Lickers Lane outside of Liverpool. Many are far worse.

Ed Hurst, co-author of "Rude UK" - a compendium of snicker-inducing place names - said residents of places like Shitterton in southern England and Butt Hole Lane in northern England have also tried to change their names. 

IMF warning of housing debt risk

Clancy Yeates

IMF says Australian house prices could be overvalued by up to 15%, leaving highly indebted households vulnerable in the event of a property slump.

The mission chief for Australia, Ray Brooks, today said the Fund would soon publish a report on the rise in Australian house prices over the last twenty years.

After looking at the long-term drivers of house prices, including population and income growth, he said the report would show "moderate" overvaluation of 5 per cent to 15 per cent.

Speaking from Washington, Mr Brooks said that if this overvaluation led to a slump in prices, households with high debt levels would be hardest hit.

Advertisement: Story continues below

"There is a risk that a decline in house prices, if it were particularly sharp, could have some impact on household spending and could lead to some households reducing their high levels of debt," he said.

On the other hand, further growth in income and population could keep prices near their current levels that the Fund sees as excessive.

"You've got continuing strong population growth in Australia and continuing income growth, so that's a possibility."

The unreleased report is based on data from the past two decades until earlier this year.

In recent quarters house prices have softened slightly, after last year growing by more than 10 per cent in many capital cities

Mr Brooks played down the impact of a correction in prices on Australia's banks, because of their record track record of more prudent lending than banks in the Unites States.

A separate report by Australian Property Monitors this week said house price growth was virtually flat at 0.1 per cent in the latest September quarter.

Mr Brooks made the comments after the Fund released a report saying the Australian economy would grow at 3 to 3.5 per cent in 2010 and 2011, above the 3 per cent predicted by the Treasury in its pre-election forecasts just three months ago.

This report also said Australia's dollar was overvalued and the proposed mining tax should be broadened to other minerals besides coal and iron ore.