Author: Contributing Writer

Fashion

Bowie and Prince ÔÇô The Male Style Icons of the 80s

words by: Abi Edwards The 1980s has been remembered for its iconic fashion evolution, such as Princess DianaÔÇÖs wedding dress, Katharine Hamnett t-shirts and acid wash jeans. It is also famous for the innovative musical styles and subcultures which emerged at the start of the decade. David Bowie and Prince were both the epitome of innovation within pop music culture, being known for their unique … Continue reading Bowie and Prince ÔÇô The Male Style Icons of the 80s

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Creative Writing, Literature

Number 158

by Phoebe Bowers. It heads a heavy breath An inhale exiled And awaiting  Grey skies above the suspended bridge over the Severn. Rat infested. Bin bags out on the streets, their aborted insides exploded on the concrete. Terraced house terraced house terraced house terraced house terraced house. Fifty shades of brown, beige, and grey. Sunshine in the day. Thirty different corners bookended by your local … Continue reading Number 158

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Film & TV

The Golden Age of Cinema

Cover illustration by Shafia Motaleb / @artsyfifi Words by Luke Hinton When you think about defining moments in Hollywood, each era seems to have one key characteristic. The 1980s were undoubtedly the era of James Cameron, with the acclaimed director releasing hits like The Terminator, Aliens and The Abyss. Similarly, the 2010s will forever be remembered as the golden age of the superhero, with Avengers: … Continue reading The Golden Age of Cinema

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Features, Invisible Illnesses

Invisible Illnesses VI: My Experience with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour

By Katie Waits *TW ÔÇô Discussions of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs), dermatillomania, and trichotillomania* ÔÇ£Can you all please turn your cameras on?ÔÇØ  ThatÔÇÖs such a familiar request nowadays. Some days, IÔÇÖll be happy to switch my camera on in a seminar. Other times, I dread those words. It usually means an hour of fidgeting, sitting at an awkward distance from the camera, constantly tilting and … Continue reading Invisible Illnesses VI: My Experience with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour

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Travel

An Immersive History Lesson: Touring the Globe

Image by Jake Williams Words by Sasha Nugara Travelling should not just be about a tan or memories, it should also be integral to your educational journey, as you learn about the worldÔÇÖs history and culture. Everyone loves a beach holiday, lazing about in the sun, grabbing a beer or cocktail from the bar, but itÔÇÖs important to register where youÔÇÖre holidaying and recognise its … Continue reading An Immersive History Lesson: Touring the Globe

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Music

Putting Stardust in the 70s: David Bowie’s Musical Legacy

Words by Leona Franke With the aftermath of hippie culture and the blossoming of exciting new technology, the 1970s emerged to be a decade of variety and ideas, and this is no clearer than in the music that rose to prominence. However, no other face impacted the early 1970ÔÇÖs quite much as one, and he came in the vessel of a freakish figure, an instant … Continue reading Putting Stardust in the 70s: David Bowie’s Musical Legacy

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Film & TV

Review: It’s A Sin

By Katherine Wheeler ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà If youÔÇÖre looking for a sign to start watching ItÔÇÖs a Sin, this is it. YouÔÇÖve probably already seen the trailers, this show is everywhere- and everything. It covers every genre from comedy to tragedy, from romance to bleak, creeping horror. The truth is, Russell T DaviesÔÇÖ new show is one of the most important pieces of television IÔÇÖve ever seen. … Continue reading Review: It’s A Sin

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LGBT+, Love

1988, Section 28 and Its Lasting Unwanted Legacy

Illustration by Madeline HowellBy Sarah Belger In 1988, British Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher banned the ÔÇÿpromotion of homosexualityÔÇÖ by local authorities with the introduction of Section 28 of the Local Government Act. This meant school children received no formal education about LGBT+ identities or relationships. Local libraries were also prohibited from stocking books and films which contained mentions of homosexuality, meaning that most children … Continue reading 1988, Section 28 and Its Lasting Unwanted Legacy

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Film & TV

The Beginning of Bond, James Bond

Cover illustration by Anna Kerslake Words by Chloe Chapman James Bond is notably one of the most iconic landmarks of British film culture. It even featured amongst the performances as part of the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony with Daniel Craig helping the Queen to ÔÇÿskydiveÔÇÖ into the arena (a good nod to that yearÔÇÖs film Skyfall, IÔÇÖll admit). The simple yet classic phrase ÔÇ£Bond, James … Continue reading The Beginning of Bond, James Bond

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Culture

A Disillusioned Democracy

Millennials are more disillusioned with democracy than any generation in living memory, research suggests. A majority of the world’s young people may now be dissatisfied with the political system, according to a study by Cambridge University’s Centre for the Future of Democracy. This article highlights via three students, how they feel the culture of politics needs to change to cater towards and how they should … Continue reading A Disillusioned Democracy

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Fashion

Spice Up Your Wardrobe: Iconic Spice Girls Looks

Words by Maddie Balcombe When it comes to iconic fashion moments, it goes without saying that the Spice Girls hold the crown. From VictoriaÔÇÖs girl-boss mini dresses to Mel BÔÇÖs leopard print flares, the girlsÔÇÖ individual styles shouldnÔÇÖt work together, but they somehow managed to merge their stylistic differences into the perfect pop image. Back when the Spice Girls formed, it didnÔÇÖt take long before … Continue reading Spice Up Your Wardrobe: Iconic Spice Girls Looks

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Music

From Bowie to Miley: How Glam Rock Shaped Music Forever

Words by Francesca IonescuImage courtesy of Id Pr Glam Rock has been described by Robert Palmer as ÔÇÿrebelling against the rebellionÔÇÖ, taking rock as an outsiderÔÇÖs music genre and making it, well, glam. The genre started in the 70s, when Britain was in a tense political period, with the escalating Northern Ireland conflict and the economic crisis, a general unpleasant time just after the summer … Continue reading From Bowie to Miley: How Glam Rock Shaped Music Forever

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Culture

The Culture of Living Alone

Written by Kat Wheeler Like many introverts across the world, my first reaction to being ordered to stay inside was one of euphoric disbelief. Ten months later, the stark reality has well and truly set in. After a long year of political hostility, social change and dystopian realities, the need to feel connected is stronger than ever. Whilst a significant percentage of the population have … Continue reading The Culture of Living Alone

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Food

The Sixties Food Revolution

Image by Dean Moriarty (via Pixabay) Words by Eve Davies Following the consumer boom of the 1950s, as the economyÔÇÖs war scars healed, the 1960s were characterised by change and innovation. Kitchen appliances evolved. Rationing was ÔÇÿso last decadeÔÇÖ. There was a rise in immigration from former British colonies, and with these social, economic, and scientific changes came flavour! Today, a few taps on our … Continue reading The Sixties Food Revolution

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Fashion

The Legacy of Pierre Cardin

words by: Suraya Kazzuz Pierre Cardin is perhaps a less recognisable name for many people, but he has made a large impact on fashion during his 98 years on the planet. His recent death has led many people to go back and look at the way in which Cardin has influenced fashion during his long career.  CardinÔÇÖs career started when he worked as a tailorÔÇÖs … Continue reading The Legacy of Pierre Cardin

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Literature

The Downfall of John Green

Words by Catarina Vicente Image: Richmond Free Press When I read ÔÇÿThe Fault in Our StarsÔÇÖ, John Green was enjoying a newfound wave of popularity. There was a rush of adoration and praise towards the book-turned-movie, and any criticism the book received was ignored amidst a crush of positivity. For months after the movieÔÇÖs release, social media was awash with black and white photos of … Continue reading The Downfall of John Green

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Features

Born in the Wrong Era

Many people often claim they were ‘born in the wrong era’, and fantasise about adopting the fashion and culture of previous years. However, popularising the music, fashion and art of the past doesn’t necessarily mean it was always a politically positive time to be living in. We asked our contributors to discuss the era they would choose, and the positives and negatives of that time. … Continue reading Born in the Wrong Era

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Travel

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Foreword by Kat Mallett It’s always nostalgic looking back through old holiday albums (on our phone or otherwise) to relive some of our most cherished memories in the sun, snow or anywhere in between. From the people, to the culture, to the food, there are so many different elements that can make a holiday particularly special or memorable. Here are just a few handpicked moments … Continue reading A Trip Down Memory Lane

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Film & TV

Review: Bridgerton (Netflix)

By Georgia Glenn ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Netflix, as many of you know, has been our knight in shining screens over lockdown. ItÔÇÖs helped us escape our world, or perhaps our assignments, and take us to a place where we want to be. For some, it might be Ru PaulÔÇÖs Drag Race where you can live your drag queen fantasy (yas kween) or it could be perhaps Breaking … Continue reading Review: Bridgerton (Netflix)

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Download, Video Games

Dungeons, Dragons, Space and Starships: A Look At BioWare’s Past, Present and Future

By Gregor McNeill Out of all the great developers on the production line that pumps out video games to play on our platforms of choice, I daresay that Bioware has provided me personally with the greatest amount of entertainment.  For a lot of people, Skyrim has always been the genre defining, flagship that introduced them to ÔÇÿfantasyÔÇÖ games. And on the other side of the coin, any mention of ÔÇÿsci-fiÔÇÖ is probably most associated Halo, or more recently … Continue reading Dungeons, Dragons, Space and Starships: A Look At BioWare’s Past, Present and Future

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